By Joe Ragusa
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Illinois State women’s basketball team survived a late rally from the Evansville Purple Aces and escaped from the Ford Center with a 64-57 win Friday night.
The Redbirds led by as much as 14 points at various points in the first half, but the Purple Aces clawed back and trailed by just four points by the end of the third quarter.
The game stayed close in the fourth quarter with Evansville pulling to within two points of ISU a couple times. Illinois State’s largest lead in the quarter ended up being the margin of victory.
Colleene Smith led the scoring for the Redbirds with 20 points, making nine of the 13 shots she attempted. She also grabbed seven rebounds.
Octavia Crump nearly recorded a double-double. She had nine points and nine rebounds.
Illinois State’s next game is Sunday in Carbondale against Southern Illinois University.
Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].