Seniors shine, Redbirds take down Evansville

Posted on February 28, 2016

Colleene Smith is one of the seniors honored on Senior Day. (goredbirds.com)

By Austin Duncan

NORMAL, Ill- The Illinois State women’s basketball team trailed by as many as nine points in the second half before charging back to take down Evansville 65-59 on Senior Day at Redbird Arena.

The Redbirds led in the early going by scoring on an Octavia “Sue” Crump jumper at the 8:41 mark of the first quarter. That would be the Redbirds’ only lead until the 2:02 mark of the fourth quarter when Taylor Stewart gave the Redbirds a 59-58 lead. Illinois State would not trail again in the game.

Following the game the Redbirds honored is three seniors, who played have played their final game at Redbird Arena.

Crump, Colleene Smith, and Normal West product Lexie Taylor were the seniors honored. Crump finished the game tying her career-high with 22 points and added 12 rebounds. Smith also added 11 rebounds. Taylor finished with seven points.

Evansville was led in scoring by Sara Dickey’s 28 points and seven rebounds.

Illinois State (7-20, 5-11) concludes its regular season with road games at Missouri State and at Wichita State, on March 3 and 5, respectively.

Listen to postgame comments from Illinois State assistant coach Lisa Hayden here.

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