NORMAL, Ill. – As the Illinois State women's basketball raised a banner and honored the accomplishments of last season's team, it was a new Redbird, Paige Robinson, stepping up in a comeback win for the 'Birds Tuesday evening. The Redbirds were able to handle business against the visiting St. Thomas Tommies as they would hold serve on defense in the second half en route to a 71-56 win inside CEFCU Arena.
The win is ISU's second consecutive win over the Tommies after winning the series' inaugural meeting last year on the road.
The night got started for ISU as they honored and celebrated with the unveiling of the 2021-22 Missouri Valley Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. However, once the ball was tipped, it was a very sluggish start for Kristen Gillespie's group as they would host a four-point lead halfway through the first before St. Thomas stormed back and would outscore the 'Birds 16-4 to hold an eight-point lead after one.
Then, in the second, it was almost a repeat story as the Tommies would stretch their lead to as many as 10 on two separate occasions. As the half winded down, ISU still trailed by nine with just under four minutes left. The final four minutes saw ISU rally to narrow the lead to one at the break, capped off by a phenomenal buzzer-beater by freshman Abbie Aalsma.
The second half got underway and the defense showed up more and more as the third quarter progressed. Mary Crompton would hit a three at the 9:31 mark of the third quarter, giving ISU their first lead since 8-7, which came with 6:29 left in the first. Despite the fight from St. Thomas still being evident, Illinois State would hold court and build their lead out to six before the quarter would end.
As the game headed to the final frame, it was a four-point lead for the 'Birds as DeAnna Wilson led the way with 14 points, followed closely by Robinson as the other Redbird in double digits with 11.
The final 10 minutes were all ISU as they outscored St. Thomas 24-13 and Paige Robinson would finish with her game-leading 23 points in her Redbird home debut. Robinson got the scoring started for ISU in the fourth with a three with 9:22 left in the game. As the lead grew to at least 17 at one point, the Redbirds defense would stifle St. Thomas as they finished the second half only allowing 24 total points.
For St. Thomas, Jade Hill came into the game as their leading scorer averaging 13.0 points/game. However, it was Sammy Opichka stepping up huge as she led the Tommies in scoring with 20. Hill was held to 12 as she and Jordyn Lamker joined Opichka in double digits.Â
TURNING POINT
Four seconds left in the first half. Time winding down. Who does ISU call upon? Well, none other than freshman Abbie Aalsma who gets the ball off a DeAnna Wilson rebound and Paige Robinson assist as she drove to the opposite elbow and drained a buzzer-beating jumper to trim the halftime lead to only one for St. Thomas (32-31).
From that moment on, the Redbirds would outscore the Tommies 40-24 in the second half to hold on for the 15-point win.Â
IN THE BOX SCORE:
- Paige Robinson finished her Redbird home debut with a game-high 23 points while also adding four assists, two blocks, and two rebounds to her name.
- Two games in and two double doubles for DeAnna Wilson. The Saint Louis native notched her 13th double double as a Redbird, finishing with 18 points and 10 rebounds on the night.Â
- In their first home game as a Redbird, Ta'Shonna Wright-Gaskins finished with eight points, two steals, five rebounds and a block while Abbie Aalsma finished with four points.
- The Redbirds finished with eight blocks, forced 12 Tommies turnovers, garnered 11 steals, and forced 24 fouls on the Tommies as the defense was the difference maker in the second half.
UP NEXT
Illinois State stays at home as they welcome Big 10 foe, Wisconsin, for a 2:00 p.m. CT tip on Sunday. It is a WHITE OUT for the 'Birds as the first 500 fans will receive a free t-shirt.
For all latest on Illinois State women's basketball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com and follow the team at @RedbirdWBB (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App:Â Â Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
