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The Redbirds opened the game trading baskets with Chicago State.
However, Chicago State, which returned all five starters from last
year's team, forced the 'Birds to take shots near the end of the
30-second shot clock nearly every time down the floor for the first
eight minutes.
Illinois State hung with CSU until the 13:26 mark when the Cougars
went on a 10-1 run led by Ayesha Neasley's six points. Ashley
Sandstead then started a 10-4 Redbird run, cutting the Cougar lead
to one at 27-26, but Chicago State responded with a 12-2 run to end
the half. The Cougars went into the locker room at halftime with a
39-28 lead.
Freshman point guard Kristi Cirone led the 'Birds in minutes (18)
and points (8) in the opening half, while Lashawn Johnson and Holly
Hallstrom led the 'Birds with five rebounds apiece.
Illinois State came out more aggressive in the second half, but
Chicago State managed to hold the Redbirds at bay by nearly ten
points until around the 15:31 mark when the 'Birds started chipping
away at the lead. Hallstrom led the ISU charge with seven straight
points in less than two minutes.
Cirone tied it up at 59-59 on a driving layup with 8:02 left.
[to top of second column in this article]
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The 'Birds then took their second lead of the game, 63-61 with 6:55
left on a Brea Banks three pointer from the left side just in front
of the Redbird bench. It was the first time the 'Birds had held the
lead since they led
10-9 with 13:26 left in the first half. Illinois State finished the
game on
a 9-2 run, which included seven free throws.
Four Redbirds scored in double figures, led by Hallstrom's 21 points
and nine rebounds. Cirone chipped in 13 and dished out six assists,
while Sandstead contributed 12 points and Amber Shelton added 11.
All 11 Redbirds saw playing time in the season opener, while
freshmen Cirone and Nicolle Lewis each earned the first starts of
their collegiate careers.
The 'Birds out-rebounded the Cougars 42-27, and made 16 of their
free throws compared to the Cougars' seven.
Next up for the 'Birds is their home opener against Loyola Chicago
at Redbird Arena on November 20 at 2:05 p.m.
[News release]
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