Birds Win Dress Rehersal Over Illinois Wesleyan, 101-86

NORMAL, Ill. – Behind a pair of 20-point double-doubles from Shannon Dowell and Nevaeh Thomas, Illinois State women's basketball moved past crosstown foe Illinois Wesleyan 101-86 Sunday in a preseason test at CEFCU Arena.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

• Dowell posted a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead Illinois State. She scored 16 points in the first half as Illinois State took a 51-34 lead into the locker room. She was 9-for-13 from the field and made her lone attempt from deep.  

• Thomas added 22 points and 10 rebounds of her own Sunday, with 12 points in the fourth quarter. She went on a 5-0 personal run in the fourth that helped stretch Illinois State's lead to 87-74.  

• Addison Martin tallied 18 points as the final Redbird in double figures. She also tallied 8 rebounds Sunday for Illinois State.  

• Dowell scored seven-straight to close the first half, giving Illinois State a 17-point advantage.   

• The Redbirds led by as many as 23 points, but Illinois Wesleyan found ways to trim at Illinois State's advantage each time. The Titans tallied 13 three-pointers and pulled within 10 points at the 3-minute mark of the fourth quarter but the Redbirds held on for the win. 

UP NEXT 

The Redbirds open the 2024-25 campaign Nov. 6 at Northwestern.  

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