First Half Lifts Redbirds Over UIC, 75-66

CHICAGO – Elyce Knudsen (24 points) and Maya Wong (20 points) posted 20+ point performances to lift Illinois State women's basketball (11-7, 5-2 MVC) over UIC (5-11, 2-5 MVC) Sunday inside Credit Union 1 Arena.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

• Knudsen scored 17 of her game-high 24 points in the first half, knocking down two threes to help the Redbirds rally for a 15-point halftime lead. She added four rebounds and three assists to the performance.  

• Wong's 20 points marked a season-high for the Normal native, who finished 9-for-10 from the free throw line. She scored ten of her points in the fourth quarter, knocking down seven free throws to help Illinois State hold on.  

• Addi Martin reached double-figures for the fourth-straight game, with a season-high 16 points to go with a career-high 6 assists and 5 rebounds. She was 7-for-10 from the floor in the win, after putting up 14 points in the first half.  

• The Redbirds trailed 23-22 at the 4:11 mark of the second quarter, before a 21-5 run to end the first half gave Illinois State a 43-28 halftime cushion. UIC was able to fight within seven points of Illinois State in the second half, however the Redbirds never trailed for the remainder of the game.  

• UIC trimmed the Redbird lead to 56-47 at the 7:39 mark of the fourth quarter. Wong then answered with a corner three for the Redbirds in a 5-0 run that put Illinois State up 61-47.  

• Illinois State built the lead to 17 points with 2:35 to go but UIC battled within single digits again. Wong hit seven consecutive free throws to close the game and secure a win.  

GAME NOTES 

• The outing was just the third 20+ point performance of Maya Wong's career, joining marks of 23 points vs Saint Louis Dec. 19 and 20 points Feb. 29 at Southern Illinois last season.  

• Illinois State trailed slightly 29-28 in the rebound battle. It marked the Redbirds first win this season when not outrebounding their opponent.  

• The Redbirds shot 27-for-50 (54%) from the floor in the win, finishing 50% or better from the field for the second straight game and the fourth time in seven MVC games. The Redbirds have finished at least 50% from the floor in eight games this season, the most of any team in the Valley.   

• Illinois State totaled 24 assists on 27 made baskets, as four Redbirds tallied 3+ assists. Martin and Doneelah Washington both tallied six assists while Shannon Dowell had four dimes. Knudsen and Wong tallied 3 assists for the Redbirds.  

• After a 22-for-29 (75.9%) performance at the free throw line Friday at Valparaiso, Illinois State shot 15-for-19 (78.9%) from the line Sunday. It is the first time this season Illinois State has shot 75% or better from the free throw line in consecutive games.  

• Martin finished better than 65% from the floor for the seventh-straight game to open MVC play. She is the only Valley player to shoot at least 65% from the field in seven MVC games this year.  

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