Redbirds Drop Regular Season Finale to Bruins

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Women's Basketball (20-10, 13-7 MVC) put five-plus players into double figures for just the fourth time this season but fell short Saturday on Senior Day against Belmont (24-7, 17-3 MVC).  

The result slots Illinois State into the No.5 seed at 2024 Hoops in the Heartland, with a Thursday, March 14 matchup against No.12 Evansville at 2:32 p.m. inside Vibrant Arena at The Mark.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

• The Redbirds fought back from a 54-46 second-half deficit to lead 63-61 with 2:36 to play. The two sides traded blows and Belmont led 69-64 at the 1-minute mark. Abbie Aalsma netted a three-ball to cut the deficit before DeAnna Wilson stepped to the line with a chance to give Illinois State the lead. She split the trip to the line and the score was tied at 69 with 15 seconds left. Belmont guard Tuti Jones connected from deep for a go-ahead bucket that sealed a win for the Bruins. 

• Wilson led Illinois State with 16 points and 9 rebounds, while Daijah Smith tallied 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. Aalsma went 3-for-7 from deep and finished with 11 points. Kate Bullman put up 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks while Maya Wong tallied 10 points and 4 assists for the Redbirds.  

• Illinois State built as high as a 12-point first-half lead, before Belmont responded to trim Illinois State's advantage down to 35-33 at the break. The Bruins outscored Illinois State 18-8 and took a 51-43 lead at the 4:36 mark of the third.  

• Trailing 56-50 heading into the fourth, Smith scored five of Illinois State's first 7 points and the deficit was down to 58-57. The two sides traded blows for the final stretch before Belmont pulled out the late-game heroics.  

GAME NOTES 

• All five players that Illinois State honored for Senior Day before the contest (Smith, Wilson, Wong, Bullman, and Hannah Kelle) eventually scored in the game, including Kelle's first points of the season. That group combined for 53 of Illinois State's 69 points.  

• After tallying 16 points in Thursday's win over Murray State, which marked a high for her Illinois State career, Smith is averaging 15.5 points per game for the Redbirds. It's the first time in her Illinois State career that Smith has scored 15+ points in consecutive games.  

• Bullman tallied her fifth performance of the year with 10+ points, 5+ rebounds and 3+ blocks. 

• The Redbirds put 4+ players in double-figure scoring for the 13th time this season. The Redbirds are 11-2 when doing so this year. 

• Illinois State finishes 13-2 at home this season. The Redbirds' 13 home wins are the most for the Redbirds in the Kristen Gillespie era and tied for 3rd all-time in program history.  

• Illinois State lost for just the second time this season when leading at halftime. Illinois State also fell after leading at the break at Missouri State last week.  

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