Women's Basketball

Redbirds Hold Off Late RedHawk Surge for Record Eighth Nonconference Win

[December 17, 2007]  OXFORD, Ohio -- The Illinois State Redbirds (8-1) held off a second-half surge by the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (6-4) to win their fourth straight game, 82-69. With the win, the Redbirds improved to 8-1 for just the third time in program history, the first since 1976-77, and set a school record for nonconference wins in a season. Four players scored in double digits for the 'Birds, led by sophomore center Nicolle Lewis' 20 points.

Lewis scored 20 points for the first time since she netted 21 at Drake on March 1. She was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line and has made her last 14 free throws, spanning the last two games. For the third time in the last four games, sophomore forward Ashleen Bracey recorded a double-double. Bracey scored 16 points and tied her career high with 11 rebounds. Junior guard Kristi Cirone added 17 points and a team-best five assists, and sophomore guard Maggie Krick chipped in 12 points.

The Redbirds showed no signs of rust after their 12-day layoff, jumping out to a 7-0 lead to start the game. The RedHawks answered with a 10-2 run to take their first and only lead of the first half, 10-9, just under the 16-minute mark. Just like in the previous two games, ISU went on a big run to pull ahead, outscoring the RedHawks 34-10 over the next 12 minutes, including a 17-2 spurt, to take a commanding 43-20 lead. Bracey, Cirone and Lewis combined for 26 of the Redbird points during the run. Miami managed a 9-4 run to close out the half and cut the deficit to 47-29 at intermission. The 47 points in the first half were the most the 'Birds have scored in a period this season.

Miami maintained momentum to start the second half, opening the period with a 12-2 run in the first four minutes to pull within single digits, 49-41. Miami guard Amanda Jackson, the team's leading scorer on the season, scored the first 10 points during that run, after being held to just four points in the first half.

The Redbirds got their offense back on track and maintained at least a nine-point advantage for the next four minutes. The RedHawks did pull within six points, 61-55, on a Jackson jumper with 10 minutes left in the game. The 'Birds stayed resilient and answered with a 10-3 run to go up by double digits again, 71-58.

Miami made one last effort with a 7-2 run to cut the Redbird lead to eight, 73-65. The RedHawks would get no closer as Cirone iced the game by shooting 5-for-6 from the free-throw line in the final 2:30.

The Redbirds return home for the first time in nearly three weeks when they host Western Illinois on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m.

[Text from file received from Jimmy Knodel, assistant media relations director, Illinois State University]