Redbirds women’s basketball first half struggles turns into second half success in first Missouri Valley win

Posted on January 14, 2018

 

The Redbirds grabbed their first Missouri Valley win over Southern Illinois backed behind Katrina Beck, who scored 13 points. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)

By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Women’s Basketball overcame the 4-1 MVC Salukis in the final minutes of the game, defeating Southern Illinois 49-46.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Southern Illinois opened the game with a 9-0 run, to quickly pull a strong lead. Paige Saylor put the Birds in the game with a 3-point shot with 5:33 on the clock. Megan Talbot was fouled and went 2-for-2 at the charity stripe to tighten the gap by four points. The Redbirds couldn’t find a shot in the last four minutes and the Salukis took advantage. At the end of the first quarter, Southern led 13-6.

Viria Livingston opened the second quarter with two free-throw shots for the Birds to trail 13-8. Salukis got held up by the Redbird defense and Livingston connected with Hannah Green to put up another two for the Birds to trail 13-10. Abby Brockmeyer responded with a layup for the Salukis to lead 15-10, but the Redbirds fired back with a quick 5-0 run to tie the game with 7:24 on the clock in the second. Redbirds would tie the Salukis again in the second, but couldn’t find their way on top. Southern Illinois led at halftime 31-26.

The Redbirds got behind by as much as 10 points in the third, but battled in the final minutes to trail 34-30.

Illinois State narrowed in on the Salukis with 4:55 left to play in the game as Saylor was fouled on her layup and was good for one at the line to trail 38-37. The Redbirds got caught in foul trouble and sent Nicole Martin to the line for SIU. She went 1-for-2 and the Salukis remained on top 39-37 with 3:49 remaining. The Redbirds found themselves in the lead for the first time as Saylor responded with a 3-pointer and the Birds never looked back. The Salukis attempted a late comeback as Mackenzie Silvey took off on a fast break and tightened the score to 47-46. The team fouled the Redbirds in desperation to spare time, but Katrina Beck netted both free-throws with ease to keep the Birds in the lead 49-46 with 15 seconds remaining. Southern attempted a jump shot at the buzzer and fell short, resulting in a 49-46 Redbird victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

  • Talbot led with a double-double today adding 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. The sophomore forward also denied two shots.
  • Saylor went 2-for-3 at the 3-point range today, improving to 4-for-5 over the weekend. The freshman added 10 points and three assists to aid the Redbirds to victory.
  • Beck added 13 points, nine rebounds, two steals and two assists for the Birds.
  • Green remains the blocking machine, denying four SIU shots today. The senior forward also added seven rebounds and six points.
  • Martin and Brockmeyer led for the Salukis with 11 and 10 points respectively.
  • Brockmeyer is ranked third in the Valley, averaging 7.4 rebounds per game. The Redbirds held her to four today.

STAT OF THE GAME

  • Megan Talbot tied her career high today with 12 rebounds. This was also her first double-double of the season.

What’s Next
The Redbirds travel to Indiana next weekend for a pair of MVC games as they take on Evansville on Friday and Indiana State on Sunday.

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