Redbird women’s basketball moves to 0-4 in Missouri Valley play after loss to Missouri State

Posted on January 12, 2018

 

Illinois State struggled on defense in the 56-50 loss to Missouri State at Redbird Arena. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)

By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Women’s Basketball fell to the Missouri State Bears 56-50 in a close fourth quarter comeback.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Redbirds opened with a strong 4-0 start over the Bears as Paige Saylor snuck away with a steal and connected with Viria Livingston for two. Redbird defense held off the Bears for a possession and Livingston raced down the court to find Hannah Green for another ISU basket. Alex Willard responded for the Bears with a jump shot to trail by two. Liza Fruendt followed her with a 3-pointer and the Bears would take a 5-2 lead. Illinois State got caught in foul trouble late in the quarter and Missouri State took advantage. The Bears finished the first quarter on top 13-6.

The Bears began the second quarter on a 5-0 run to push ahead 18-6.Paige Saylor stopped the streak with a 3-pointer to trail 18-9. The Bears answered with two, but the Redbirds fired back with a 6-0 run to trail by five. The Redbirds got caught in foul trouble and Missouri State took advantage. The Bears outscored ISU 19-14 to stay ahead 32-20 at halftime.

The Rebirds trailed by as little as eight points in the third quarter, but could not overcome the deficit. The teams battled it out in the final quarter and the Birds came within reach, but time was not in favor. Megan Talbot put in a jump shot to trail 54-50 with 48 seconds to play. The Redbirds fouled to spare time and attempted a comeback, but would fall short in the end 56-50.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

  • Three Redbirds scored in double-digits in tonight’s contest. Saylor (15) Green (12) Livingston (10)
  • Talbot led off the glass with nine rebounds and added six points.
  • Simone Goods added a new career high of three blocks tonight. The junior forward also added three points and four rebounds.
  • Three Bears also scored in double digits, Aubrey Buckley led with 15 points. Buckley grabbed eight rebounds and three steals to pace MSU to victory.  Liza Fruendt added 11 points and Brice Calip contributed 10. Fruendt was shy of a double-double, grabbing nine rebounds.

STAT OF THE GAME

  • Saylor secured a new career high tonight of 15 points, six of them coming from behind the arc. She went 6-for-8 from the field and grabbed four steals for the Redbirds.

What’s Next
The Redbirds remain home on Sunday as they face Southern Illinois for a special “Pack the Arena” game.

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