NORMAL, Ill. – DeAnna Wilson's 27-point, 7 rebound performance led Illinois State past Illinois Wesleyan 94-56 in the unofficial first-ever meeting between the crosstown foes Sunday at CEFCU Arena. The Redbirds wrapped up preseason action, and open the regular season slate Nov. 6 at Omaha.
HIGHLIGHTS
-
Illinois State raced out to a 9-0 first quarter lead and never looked back in Sunday's exhibition, building as much as a 42-point lead over the Titans.
-
Wilson was in regular season form, going 12-16 from the field in a scoring performance that would have surpassed her career-high of 26 from March 4 last season at Indiana State. She scored 15 points in the second half, which included a make on her lone attempt from behind the arc.
-
Sophomore Abbie Aalsma was Illinois State's second-leading scorer on the night, finishing with 9 points and a 3-for-5 mark from behind the arc.
-
Every Redbird who checked into the game scored, which includes all four members of Illinois State's freshman class. Molly Lenz and Brooke Coffey both tallied 8 points while Shannon Dowell scored 7 and Savannah McGowan pitched in 3.
-
Point guards Maya Wong and Lenz combined for an impressive afternoon leading both units, totaling 13 assists to just three turnovers. Wong dished 8 assists in 19 minutes on the court.
-
In her first ISU appearance at CEFCU Arena, junior Caroline Waite got the start, played 19 minutes and tallied 9 points.
-
Kate Bullman only scored four points, but made her impact felt with 10 rebounds and 3 blocks in 24 minutes. It would have been just her third performance of 10-plus rebounds since the start of the 2022-2023 season.
UP NEXT
The Redbirds open the 2023-2024 season with a road contest at Omaha Nov. 6. Tipoff is slated for 5 p.m.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
