'Birds Welcome Billikens Tuesday Night

NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State Women's Basketball (6-3 Overall, 0-0 MVC) looks to snap a two-game skid as the Redbirds host Saint Louis (5-7, 0-0 A10) to close their 2023 non-conference slate inside CEFCU Arena at 6:30 p.m. on the Redbird Sports Radio Network and ESPN+.

SERIES HISTORY

The all-time series between the two foes is knotted at 2-2, which includes a 75-65 win for the Billikens last year over Illinois State. The Redbirds hold a 2-0 series mark inside CEFCU Arena. It is the second time in three seasons that Illinois State is closing its non-conference slate against the Billikens after Illinois State defeated Saint Louis 77-66 to cap off the 2020-2021 non-conference schedule. 

The Redbirds traveled to Chaiifetz Arena last season, dropping the contest after a strong fourth quarter surge from the Billikens. The Redbirds trailed 51-47 before an 8-2 run gave Illinois State a 55-53 third-quarter advantage. The Billikens tied the game at 55 heading into the fourth. Illinois State led 60-57 at the 8:33 mark of the fourth as Paige Robinson connected from distance. Saint Louis answered with an 18-5 run to close the game for the ten-point victory. 

A trio of Redbirds ended the night in double digits, led by Mary Crompton's 18. She was joined in double figures by Robinson's 15 and DeAnna Wilson's 12. Two Billikens finished with 20-plus points as Julia Martinez (20) and Kayla McMakin (22) had big nights. Brooke Flowers put up 14 points and tallied a staggering seven blocks for the Billikens.

LAST TIME OUT

Illinois State led by six with just over five minutes to go but couldn't hang on Sunday as No.19 Marquette used a late surge to pull out a win and remain unbeaten on the season. Illinois State had possession, trailing 64-62 with six seconds to go in the game. Kate Bullman's clean look at three from the top of the key didn't go down and Marquette escaped with the win.

Maya Wong scored 10 fourth-quarter points, including a clutch three-pointer and three free throws in the final minute as Illinois State looked to jump back in front of the Golden Eagles. She finished with an ISU-high 14 points and a game-high 8 assists Sunday. DeAnna Wilson tallied her second double-double of the season, putting up 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. Caroline Waite and Kate Bullman also reached double figures. Waite scored all 11 of her points in the first half while Bullman hit a pair of threes and finished with 10 points and four blocks.   

Illinois State opened on an 11-0 run to jump on the Golden Eagles early in the first quarter. Waite scored six early points all on driving layups in the lane and Illinois State was rolling. Marquette answered with a 26-9 run that put the Golden Eagles up 26-20 at the 7:30 mark of the second quarter. Wilson and the Redbirds opened the third quarter on an 11-4 run, highlighted by Wilson's personal 6-0 scoring surge. A three from Bullman and a pair of free throws from Wong helped stretch Illinois State's advantage to 45-38 at the 5:06 mark of the third. The 'Birds took a 47-41 lead into the fourth after Wilson's big block on Liza Karlen's three-point attempt at the top of the key.  

Aalsma's third three of the game pushed the Redbird lead to 55-49 at the 5:39 mark of the fourth quarter before Marquette used a 9-0 run to jump in front 58-55, an advantage the Golden Eagles never surrendered. The Golden Eagles led 61-56 with 1:13 to play but Wong pulled up from deep to trim the deficit. Marquette went up by four after a pair of free throws before Wong nearly completed a four-point play to tie the game. The three didn't fall but she went 3-for-3 at the line and Illinois State cut the deficit to 63-62 with nine seconds left before Marquette escaped.

DEE'S DOUBLE DOUBLES

Wilson's double-double against the Golden Eagles was not only her second of the season, but it moved her into an elite group in the program record books. The performance was the 20th double-double of her Illinois State career, moving her into fifth all-time in program history for career double-doubles. 

Wilson is one double-double shy of tying Redbird alum and current UIC head coach Ashleen Bracy with 21 career double-doubles. Basketball Hall of Famer Cathy Boswell holds the program record with 48 career double-doubles. 

100 GAMES AS A REDBIRD

Bullman is set to appear in her 100th-career collegiate game Tuesday. The Grayslake, Ill. native is also likely make her 70th career start against the Billikens. She is the first of three Redbirds who will likely appear in their 100th game as a Redbird this season. Wong has currently appeared in 97 career games, with 73 of those appearances being starts. Her 100th career game would likely come Jan. 4 at Belmont. Wilson sits at 96 games as a Redbird and 82 starts. She is likely to hit 100 Jan. 6 at Murray State. 

MAKING IT RAIN

The Redbirds are one of the nation's hottest-shooting teams through the early goings of the season. Illinois State ranks 9th in NCAA D1 and first in the Valley with a 39.7 percent mark from behind the three point line. Illinois State is averaging 8.1 three-pointers per game (47th in NCAA, 2nd in MVC). 

Interestingly, Illinois State ranks just 141st and 6th in the Valley in three-pointers per game. (20.4)

Illinois State put up 11 threes against NC State, the third time this season that Illinois State has his 10-plus threes in a single game. All 15 of Illinois State's first-quarter points came from behind the arc as the Redbirds went 5-for-9. The Redbirds hit a season-high 12 threes in the win over Saint Francis, led by Waite (5) and Aalsma (3) who each hit three-plus in the game. Five different Redbirds hit from deep as Brook Coffey, Lauren Cohen and Shannon Dowell also connected. Illinois State opened the year hitting 10 threes against Omaha Nov. 6, led by Maya Wong's 4-for-5 mark from deep.

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