NORMAL, Ill. – As the 2022-23 season looms ahead for Illinois State women's basketball, Tuesday gave fans their first opportunity to see the reigning MVC Tournament champions in action. Kristen Gillespie and the Redbirds picked up a 77-58 exhibition win over the University of Indianapolis Tuesday evening.
Graduate student, Paige Robinson, lived up to the preseason hype – in her ISU debut – scoring a game-high 27 points while three other Redbirds ended the night in double figures. Senior DeAnna Wilson compiled a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Redshirt junior Maya Wong and freshman Abbie Aalsma both finished their nights with 10 points to their names.
The Redbirds saw all nine players get on the score sheet, as Robinson would also lead the way as one of three 'Birds with at least one three-point basket.
On the defensive side of the ball, ISU would see Ta'Shonna Wright-Gaskins – in her ISU debut – fill up the stat sheet on that side of the ball, finishing with six rebounds, four blocks, and six steals. Wright-Gaskins' four blocks were part of a combined 10 for the home team on Tuesday, as ISU would garner 10 steals as well against the Greyhounds.
The teams battled through the first five and a half minutes, going into the first quarter media timeout only separated by three points. From there, the Redbirds offense would outscore UIndy 32-20 in the first half, going into the halftime break up 44-to-29.
In the second half, the Redbird defense came out strong, only allowing five points through the first 4:31 of play. The third quarter would end with ISU outscoring UIndy 10-8 to go into the final frame up 23. In the fourth, back-to-back triples from Robinson and Aalsma widened the margin to 27 with 7:51 on the clock. UIndy would try and mount a comeback, but it was not enough as ISU came away with the 19-point victory.
Illinois State made 39.7 percent of its shots in the game (25-63) and went 6-18 (33.3 percent) from the arc. Defensively, ISU held the Greyhounds to 17-of-53 shooting (32.1 percent) and 3-of-20 from behind the arc (15.0 percent).
The rebounding battle was close, as ISU outrebounded the Greyhounds 41-to-39, as the team also were neck-and-neck in assists with 12 to ISU and 11 to UIndy. However, it would be 22 turnovers which told the story for UIndy, as the 'Birds would convert for 27 points off turnovers on the night.
ISU officially opens its 2022-23 season on Thursday, November 10, as they head to Dayton, Ohio for a 6:00 p.m. tip against the Flyers.
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