'Birds lose close one to Stephen F. Austin 

[NOV. 29, 2004]  FREEPORT, Bahamas -- In its final game of the Junkanoo Jam, Illinois State continued its losing streak, falling 66-60 to Stephen F. Austin on Saturday.

After Stephen F. Austin made two baskets for every Illinois State (0-3) bucket in the first six minutes, Amber Shelton's layup at 14:04 keyed an 11-2 run by the Redbirds. The Redbirds held a 15-12 advantage following the run, which included a 3-point play by Katie Donovan and a Sara Stevenson 3-pointer and ended with a 3-point play by Shelton.

With the 'Birds shooting just 27.8 percent from the field, including 14.3 percent from beyond the arc, SFA (1-2) took a 29-26 lead into the locker room at halftime. Illinois State's shooting woes continued at the charity stripe, where the Redbirds were 4-for-11 in the first half.

At 14:26 in the second half, the Lady Jacks went on an 11-2 run that started with a pair of free throws and ended the same way at 11:05. Illinois State responded with a 16-5 run to cut the lead to three at 58-55 with 3:32 left in the game. Donovan started the run with a 3-pointer at 9:31, and Ashley Sandstead finished it off with a 3-pointer and a layup off a steal. Jaci McCormack cut the lead to 60-57 with 2:10 left, but that was as close as the 'Birds would get.

Donovan led the Redbirds with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Shelton finished with 12 tallies and seven rebounds off the bench.

The Redbirds will be looking for their first win of the season in their home opener against Ball State on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. at Redbird Arena.

[Illinois State University news release]

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