'Birds defeat MSU, remain unbeaten in Valley play

(Text copied from file received from Illinois State)

[JAN. 15, 2007]  NORMAL -- The Illinois State basketball team remains unbeaten in Missouri Valley Conference action and atop the league standings, thanks to sophomore center Nicolle Lewis' career-high 19 points and seven rebounds, along with the team's tremendous defensive effort in the 76-47 victory over Missouri State on Saturday at Redbird Arena.

Down two starters (freshman Kenyatta Shelton and junior Lashawn Johnson), the Redbirds won by 29 points, tying their largest margin of victory this season, while also giving up a season-low 47 points. ISU also out-rebounded Missouri State 51-30, despite being without their top two players statistically on the glass.

Kristi Cirone also came up big once again offensively for the 'Birds with 21 points and eight assists. This game marked Cirone's sixth game with over 20 points scored and her 12th consecutive double-digit scoring effort.

Leading the Redbirds off the bench was freshman Ashleen Bracey, who put up a career bests in minutes (17), points (8) and rebounds (11).

"I'm really proud of our team's effort tonight, especially considering the adversity of playing without two key players," head coach Robin Pingeton said. "We really needed a lot of people to step up their play and they did. You have to give our kids a lot of credit because they are really locked in right now."

With the victory, the Redbirds (13-4, 6-0 MVC) remain unbeaten at home (9-0) and have now won 12 straight at Redbird Arena dating back to last season. The loss to ISU drops the Bears' record to 5-9, 1-4 in the Valley, despite the efforts of Breton Wyett, who scored 15 points and grabbed three rebounds.

The Redbirds brought their A-game to the contest in the first half on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the 'Birds were led by Lewis, who broke her career-high scoring mark with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting, and Cirone chipped in 14 points and six assists. Illinois State smothered Missouri State with its defense, holding the Bears to 15 points on 6-of-31 shooting, and forcing nine turnovers. The 15 points were the least amount given up by ISU in the first half this season.

The 'Birds began the first stanza by jumping out to an early 14-7 lead in the game's opening six minutes. Ten of ISU's of 14 points came from Lewis on four field goals and two free throws. The Redbirds ended the final 14 minutes of the half on a 29-6 run, with Cirone scoring 12 points during that span, giving them a 43-15 lead at intermission. The Bears were held scoreless following a Breton Wyett jumper at the 6:51 mark that cut the ISU lead to 28-12, until 33 seconds remained in the half.

There was no let up by the 'Birds, as the second half began with ISU not allowing a field goal in the opening five minutes. The Redbirds would build their lead to as many as 40 points twice in the second half when Bracey hit a lay up to give ISU the 72-32 lead at the 4:36 mark and senior Cat Graham knocked home her lone basket of the game to put the 'Birds up 74-34 with three minutes remaining.

The Redbird basketball team will return to action Fri., Jan. 19, when it travels to face Indiana State. Tip-off between the 'Birds and the Sycamores in Terre Haute, Ind., is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.

[News release provided by Jeffrey Salmon, assistant athletics director, media relations, Illinois State University]

LDN sports sponsored by: