Third-Quarter Outburst Propels Illinois State To Exhibition Win Over SIUE

NORMAL, Ill. – Three Illinois State players scored in a double figures, led by a double-double from Nevaeh Thomas, as the Redbird women's basketball team defeated SIUE by a final of 93-59 in a preseason exhibition test at CEFCU Arena on Monday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED 
•    The Redbirds came out hot, shooting 61.1 percent from the field in the first quarter, with 22 of their 24 points coming in the paint against the Cougars as ISU held a 24-16 advantage after 10 minutes of action.
•    Illinois State extended its lead to 11 at the break at 40-29, after the Redbirds outscored SIUE 16-13 in the second quarter.
•    ISU poured it on in the third quarter, thanks to a strong effort from beyond the arch as the Redbirds made 5-of-6 three-point shots while scoring 34 points to take a 74-47 lead into the final quarter of action.
•    The Birds closed things out in the fourth quarter and secured the win, after shooting 59 percent from the field in the second half.

HIGHLIGHTS 
•    Illinois State scored 50 points in the paint against SIUE, including 17 second-chance points after grabbing 16 offensive boards.
•    Thomas made her triumphant return to the lineup, after missing all but four games last year due to an injury, and recorded a double-double with a game-high 22 points and 11 rebounds to go along with five assists.
•    Freshman Danyella Mporokoso was stellar in her debut as well, scoring 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field with a 5-for-7 effort from the charity stripe.
•    Transfer Chloe Spreen was the third Redbird to score in double figures, as she finished the game with 14 points, including a 2-for-2 effort from three-point range.
•    Trista Fayta (9 points), Grace Nelson (8points) and Hannah Chicken (8 points) all chipped strong performance as well for the Redbirds.

UP NEXT 
The Redbirds officially open the 2026-27 campaign on Nov. 2 at CEFCU Arena against Chicago State, with tipoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m.  

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