NORMAL, IL – Illinois State women's basketball (6-5, 0-0 MVC) hits the road to open Missouri Valley Conference play Sunday against Murray State (6-3, 0-0 MVC) inside CFSB Center on ESPN+. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
Illinois State and Murray State are set to meet for the eighth time all-time and the fourth time as Valley foes. The Redbirds lead the all-time series 5-2 and by a 3-1 margin since the Racers joined the Valley in 2022.
The two sides split a pair of meetings last season, including an 85-75 win for Illinois State inside CEFCU Arena. Illinois State built as high as a 19-point lead in that game, led by a 23-point effort from Shannon Dowell, who scored 20+ points for the third consecutive game.
MVC OPENERS
Heading into Sunday the Redbirds have won three consecutive league openers, after wins over Bradley (twice) and Drake over the last three seasons. Illinois State is 5-2 in MVC openers under head coach Kristen Gillespie (2017-Pres.).
The Redbirds are set to open Valley play on the road for just the second time under Gillespie (2017 at UNI).
STACKING DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Neveah Thomas has posted double-doubles in consecutive games for the first time in her Redbird career, after performances of 13 points and 10 rebounds Dec. 15 at Chicago State and 11 points and 12 rebounds Dec. 20 vs UAB. Thomas is averaging 12.0 points and 11.0 rebounds on 9-for-15 (60%) shooting from the field over the last two games.
Thomas leads Illinois State with three double doubles this season, which includes a mark of 21 points & 10 rebounds Nov. 12 at Saint Louis).
DYNAMIC DUO
Shannon Dowell (14.4 ppg) and Elyce Knudsen (14.1 ppg) have become a strong backcourt tandem this season, leading Illinois State as No.1 and No.2 in the scoring category. Dowell and Knudsen are the only two guards from a single Valley team to average 14.0+ points per game on better than 45% shooting from the field this season. Knudsen is shooting 49.5% from the field this season (3rd in MVC) while Dowell is shooting 45.4% from the floor.
They have reached double figures in the same game on five occasions this season, including Knudsen's 23 points and Dowell's 21 points Dec. 1 vs New Mexico State.
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