Shooting Woes Trouble Redbirds in Loss to Panthers

CEDAR FALLS, IA – Illinois State women's basketball (14-9, 8-4 MVC) couldn't overcome a slow shooting day Sunday as the Redbirds fell 72-52 to UNI (12-11, 7-5 MVC) inside McCleod Center.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

• Illinois State shot a season-low 30.4% from the field and a mark of 25.0% from deep, scoring a season-low 52 points in the loss. Nevaeh Thomas was the lone Redbird in double figures, finishing with 13 points to go with 5 rebounds and 1 block against the Panthers.  

• Both sides traded blows in the early moments Sunday, before UNI took a 15-13 lead that the Panthers never surrendered. UNI ran its lead to 23-16 at the 8:20 mark of the second quarter but Illinois State answered with a 4-0 run behind three points from Thomas. The Panthers responded to lead 33-23 before the end of the half, then led 38-29 at the break.  

• The Redbirds were never within one-possession of the Panthers in the second half, pulling as close as 38-33 at the 8-minute mark of the third. UNI's 14-4 run to open the fourth quarter was ultimately too much to overcome and the Redbirds fell.  

GAME NOTES 

• Addison Martin led Illinois State with 10 rebounds Sunday, just her second performance of the season with 10+ boards. She grabbed 11 rebounds in a double-double to open the year Nov. 6 at Northwestern.  

• Freshman Doneelah Washington tallied her 26th block of the season, a mark that leads all freshmen in the MVC this year and ranks fifth in the Valley overall. She has 21 blocks in MVC play to lead all freshmen and rank 4th in the Valley.  

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