NORMAL, Ill. – Graduate guard Paige Robinson went off for 21 second-half points on Sunday, finishing with a game-high 30 in Illinois State's first loss in over a month, a 71-66 defeat to Missouri State at CEFCU Arena.
Along with her 30 points, Robinson added three rebounds and one steal while shooting 47% (9-of-19) from the floor. Redshirt junior Maya Wong posted 14 points, her most in a game since scoring 11 at Southern Illinois on Jan. 7, adding two rebounds, an assist, and two steals on the afternoon.
The final Redbird to finish in double figures would be Ta'Shonna Wright-Gaskins, who finished with a career-high 12 points off the bench to go along with nine rebounds (five offensive) and two steals.
The Lady Bears saw four athletes finish in double figures, led by Aniya Thomas' 15 points. Thomas was joined in double figures Sunday by Indya Green (14 points), Kennedy Taylor (13 points), and Sydney Wilson (11 points).
With the loss, the Redbirds move to 18-6 overall and 12-2 in Missouri Valley Conference action while the Lady Bears improve to 16-7 overall and 11-3 in the MVC.
TURNING POINT
After trailing by as many as 14 with 5:20 remaining in the game, Illinois State trimmed the deficit to only five with 2:47 on the clock. Neither team would score over the next minute of gameplay, until Jade Masogayo capitalized on a loose ball opportunity, putting in a layup and making it a seven-point game (61-54) with under two minutes to play (1:53 on the clock).
As the clock winded down to the final 1:24, Missouri State extended their to as many as nine, but ISU would not back down as Paige Robinson stepped up and knocked down a three-pointer to make it 63-57 with just over a minute on the clock. Missouri State responded with four straight from the free-throw line before Robinson hit a pair of her own and Maya Wong would steal the ensuing inbounds play for a pivotal and-one opportunity with 31 seconds remaining.
After converting on the and-one, ISU trailed by five as they continued pushing until the final whistle, but as the Lady Bears converted their chances at the line, it would be too much for the 'Birds to overcome as they fell by the final five-point margin (71-66).
IN THE BOX SCORE
- Robinson's 30 points is her most in a Valley game this season, as she moves her average to 18.7 points per game in MVC action this season. The 30 points ties the third-highest single-game scoring effort in a Valley game this season, joining Southern Illinois' Ashley Jones v. Drake on Jan. 26 and Murray State's Katelyn Young at Indiana State on Jan. 29.
- The Lady Bears out-rebounded Illinois State 41-33, including 30 defensive rebounds.
- Illinois State won the bench battle, outscoring Missouri State 16-12, Sunday.
- Missouri State held 10 assists on 21 made field goals.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Ta'Shonna Wright-Gaskins
- Set a new career-high with 12 points Sunday
- Reset her career-high with nine rebounds on the afternoon
- Maya Wong
- Second time this season finishing with 14 points in a game (at UNLV on Nov. 27).
- Paige Robinson
- 21st time finishing in double figures this season
- Second game with 30+ points (finished with 37 versus Wisconsin on Nov. 20)
UP NEXT
The Redbirds are on the road as they head to Iowa for a two-game tilt, beginning with the UNI Panthers on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. from the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
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