NORMAL, Ill. – For the sixth-straight season, Illinois State competed in the postseason and for the fourth in a row, it came in the WNIT as ISU hosted the UTRVG Vaqueros on Sunday afternoon at CEFCU Arena in the second round of the 2026 WNIT. Five Redbirds scored in double figures, including 21 from Doneelah Washington, as a big second quarter scoring outburst propelled the Redbirds (21-13) to an 81-52 win over the Vaqueros (2-14) and moved them into the Super 16 for the second-straight year.
HOW IT HAPPENEDÂ
•   The first six-plus minutes of the game saw both teams traded baskets and the lead changed six time, before the Redbirds took a three-point lead after a pair of free throws from Addison Martin with just over three minutes remaining in the first quarter. After the Vaqueros tied the game with a three-pointer, Bella Finnegan gave the Redbirds a four-point advantage at 17-13 with under two to play in the first.
•   ISU would take a 22-16 lead into the second quarter, as the Birds grabbed a pair of offensive rebounds on their last possession with Jaeden Pratt grabbing the final and scoring on a put back layup as time expired.
•   Washington scored the first four points of the second quarter on a pair of layups to put the Redbirds up by 10 at 26-16 just a minute into the period. That run would extend to 14-0 to start the second quarter, as the Vaqueros were held scoreless over the first five and a half minutes of the quarter.
•   A second-chance bucket in the lane by Washington with 3:56 left before halftime would give her 10 points and put the Redbirds up by 20 at 38-18. ISU's lead would grow to 25 at 47-22 after a pair of free throws by Madison Austin with 37 seconds left before the break and Austin would score the final basket of the half on a jumper in the lane to make it 49-22 at halftime
•   A 7-0 run by the Redbirds on a fastbreak layup by Kya Hurt and five-straight points by Austin would put the Redbirds up 62-27 with 4:14 remaining in the period. That run would grow to 10-0 on a free throw by Jordan Fenske that made the score 65-27 with just over two minutes left in the quarter. UTRGV would score the final four points of the period to make the score 65-31 headed to the fourth.
•   Back-to-back layups by Finnegan and Washington would get things started for the Redbirds in the fourth quarter, and Washington would add a bucket with 7:22 left to give the Redbirds a 35-point lead. Washington would then drill a three-pointer from the top of the key with 6:51 remaining on the clock to bring the score to 74-38.
•   A jumper by Hurt with under two minutes to play would give her 11 and the Redbirds five players in double figures, as they held on for the 81-52 victory.
HIGHLIGHTSÂ
•   With the win, Illinois State is 20-11 overall in the WNIT since 2000, which includes a 4-1 mark over the past two postseason appearances.
•   The win moves Illinois State's home record to 15-1, the second-most home wins in a single season behind the 17 won during the 2010-11 campaign.
•   Illinois State outscored the UTRGV by a 27-6 margin in the second quarter to blow the game open and the Redbirds led by as many as 38 points late in the third quarter.
•   The Redbird post players were dominant, combining for 49 points as the Redbirds totaled 46 points in the paint. ISU also got a ton of production off the bench, with 39 points scored by non-starters in the contest.
•   Washington led five Redbirds in double figures, with 21 points on 10-for-15 shooting, as she recorded her 12th game of the season with 20 or more points.
•   Austin tied her career high with 14 points, while Martin also added 14 points in the contest for ISU.
•   Hurt chipped in 11 points and Finnegan finished with 10 to round out the quintet of Redbirds in double figures in the contest.
•   De'Shawnti Thomas played a season-high 16 minutes and grabbed a career high six rebounds in the win over UTRGV.
UP NEXTÂ
FIU and Abilene Christian will play on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in Texas for the opportunity to play the Redbirds in the WNIT Super 16, which can take place between March 25-27. The game date, time and location will be announced following the completion of the FIU/ACU contest on Tuesday.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
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