Knudsen, Martin Lead Redbirds to Win Over Salukis, 78-60

NORMAL, Ill. – Elyce Knudsen (25 points) and Addison Martin (23 points) both tallied season-highs to lead Illinois State women's basketball (13-7, 7-2 MVC) past Southern Illinois, (3-15, 1-8 MVC) 78-60 Friday night inside CEFCU Arena.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

• Knudsen, who has finished with 20+ points in three consecutive games, led all scorers in the win. She went 11-for-19 from the field and 3-for-9 from deep.

• Martin scored 20 points in the first half alone and finished 9-for-11 from the field (81%) to go with 7 rebounds and 3 assists. It was her first 20+ point performance as a Redbird.  

• The Redbirds led 19-14 after the opening quarter but grabbed a big advantage with a strong second quarter. The Redbirds outscored the Salukis by 12 in the second, led by 12 points from Martin. The Redbirds ended the first half on a 20-5 run, where Martin (9 points) and Knudsen (7 points) combined for the final 16 points of the first half for Illinois State.  

• The Salukis fought back and climbed within 11 points in the fourth quarter after outscoring Illinois State in the third. A 6-0 Illinois State run put the Redbirds up 67-50 at the 7:02 mark, enough to secure a victory.  

GAME NOTES 

• Illinois State improved to 41-9 against in-state foes since the start of 2019-20. Over that same stretch, Illinois State is 23-2 vs in-state foes inside CEFCU Arena and has won 13-straight home games against in-state teams. The Redbirds are 6-0 against in-state foe teams this season.  

• Illinois State won despite trailing 41-33 in the rebound battle. It is just the second time this season Illinois State has secured a win without outrebounding its opponent. (Jan. 19 at UIC)

• The Redbirds forced 22 turnovers, a season-high and the first time this season Illinois State has forced 20+ turnovers in a game this season.  

• Doneelah Washington recorded her 20th block of the season, the most by a Redbird freshman since 1987. She is just the third freshman in program history to tally 20+ blocks in their rookie campaign.  

• Martin is just the fourth Redbird under Kristen Gillespie to finish with 20+ points on 80% shooting or better. She joins Shannon Dowell (2023-24), Juliunn Redmond (2020-21), and Simone Goods (2018-19).  

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