'Birds Use Strong First Half to Defeat Bruins Sunday

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In the highly anticipated matchup of the top two teams in the MVC preseason poll, it was the red-hot Redbirds (11-5, 5-1 MVC) making all the right moves. Thanks in part to stifling defense and resilient offense, ISU defeated Belmont (7-10, 3-3 MVC) by a final of 70-56 from the Curb Event Center Sunday. 

The loss stands as Belmont's first conference home loss, making fellow newcomer Murray State, the last MVC team unblemished at home. Also, Sunday is the lone regular season meeting between the Bruins and Redbirds as the two will not meet again as part of the newly designed 20-game conference schedule.

Mary Crompton led the way for Illinois State as she finished with a game high 26 points, including 7-13 from behind the arc. The Iowa City native was joined in double figures by teammates DeAnna Wilson (14) and Kate Bullman (11). 

Wilson led the 'Birds with 10 rebounds on the afternoon while both Bullman and Maya Wong dished out a team high four assists. 

Belmont was led by 21 points from Destinee Wells, including 20 in the second half alone. Wells also contributed five assists, two steals, and three rebounds Sunday. Madison Bartley (15) and Kilyn McGuff (11) would be the other Bruins in double figures after 40 minutes. McGuff and Bartley also led the team with six rebounds apiece. 

TURNING POINT

The ball was tipped and the Redbirds were off and running. The Music City visitors stormed out to a 12-0 lead over the first 4:11 of the game as the media timeout was called as ISU held all the momentum. 

The Redbirds kept their defensive pressure up as they would hold Belmont off the scoreboard for nearly five and a half minutes (4:24 in the first), a Sydney Harvey fast break layup. The Bruins would score once more a couple minutes later but it wouldn't be enough to stop the hot offense of ISU. 

As the first quarter winded down, the Redbirds saw Jada Stinson knock down a last second three, giving ISU a resounding 21-4 lead. Illinois State never let their foot off the pedal, as they would lead for the rest of the game and hold as big of a lead as 22 at one point. 

IN THE BOX SCORE:

• The 16 points by Belmont were the fewest first half points allowed by ISU this season. The Bruins also shot 22% in the first half, worst field goal percentage by an ISU opponent this far.
• The Redbirds did not allow Belmont to score 20 points in the first half, which makes the second time an opponent has seen this occur and first since Louisiana Tech did so on 11/26/22 in Vegas. 
• The Redbirds finished with 8 blocks; 
• Belmont would win the rebound battle 39-32 including 19 offensive rebounds. 
• Both programs finished the afternoon with 10 assists. 

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• Mary Crompton
  • Tied her career high with 7 three pointers on Sunday. 
  • Sits 13th all time in MVC history for most three pointers made with 260 after passing Missouri State's Melody Howard and Drake's Becca Hittner (258).
  • Finished one point (26) away from tying a career high 27 set on 11/10/22 against Dayton. 
• DeAnna Wilson
  • Fifth double double of the 2022-23 season; grabbed 10 rebounds and scored 14 points Sunday 

UP NEXT
The 'Birds return to the confines of CEFCU Arena for the first time since Jan. 1 this Friday when Indiana State comes to town. The Redbirds will be hosting their annual Pack The Arena night as well as a BLACK OUT when the action gets underway at 6:30 p.m. CT Friday. 

For all latest on Illinois State women's basketball, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com and follow the team at @RedbirdWBB (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram).

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