Redbirds Fight Off Flames in 65-64 Thriller

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State women's basketball (18-10, 12-5 MVC) hit five free throws in the final ten seconds to erase a three-point deficit and pull out a 65-64 win over UIC (12-14, 9-8 MVC) Thursday night inside CEFCU Arena.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

• Four Redbirds reached double-figures, led by 15 points from Shannon Dowell and Addison Martin. Martin tallied 10 points in the first half, while Dowell led Illinois State with 11 second-half points. Nevaeh Thomas tallied 13 points and Elyce Knudsen put up 10 in the win.  

• Illinois State led by nine in the third quarter but couldn't pull away from UIC. Dowell's bucket at the 3:29 mark capped off a 6-0 run that gave the Redbirds a 44-35 advantage. She scored again late in the third and Illinois State took a 48-40 lead into the fourth quarter. 

• The Flames used a 9-1 run and cut the Illinois State lead to 51-49 with 7:11 to go in the fourth. The Redbirds answered behind four points from Thomas to take a 58-51 advantage at the 4:47 mark. UIC surged from there with a 13-2 run to lead by four with 10 seconds to go.  

• Maya Wong was fouled on a three-point attempt in front of Illinois State's bench, stepping to the line to make her only three free throws of the game. The Flames couldn't convert on a trip to the free throw line but led 64-63 with under 10 seconds remaining. Dowell drove to the bucket and was fouled on the next possession, sinking a pair of game-winning free throws.  

GAME NOTES 

• Illinois State shot 25-48 (52.1%) from the field in the win, shooting north of 50% in a single game for the 12th time this season. It marked the ninth time the Redbirds have shot 50% or better from the floor in MVC play this year.  

• The Redbirds held a 28-22 advantage on the glass, winning the rebounding battle for the 18th time this season. Illinois State improved to 15-3 when outrebounding their opponent this year. 

• Illinois State improved to 7-1 this year against in-state foes. Since the start of the 2019-2020 campaign, the Redbirds are 42-10 against in-state foes and 24-2 vs in-state foes inside CEFCU Arena. It marked the Redbirds 14th straight win over in-state team inside CEFCU Arena.  

• The Redbirds finished with 4+ double-figure scorers for the 20th time this season. Illinois State is 27-9 when putting 4+ in double-figures since the start of the 2023-24 campaign. 

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