Jamie Russell finished with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 8 steals. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)

By WJBC Staff

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Senior guard Jamie Russell set or tied career highs in five categories, - including points, rebounds and steals  - and recorded the first double-double performance of her career, but it wasn't enough as the the Illinois State’s women’s basketball team suffered a 74-64 loss to the University of Iowa in the  second round of the Preseason WNIT on Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The Redbirds' record fell to  1-1, while the Hawkeyes moved to 2-0.

Russell tied a career-high with 30 points and set career records with 12 rebounds, including seven in the second half, and eight steals. Sophomore Janae Smith just missed a double-double, netting 17 points and nine rebounds. Freshman Alexis Foley added six boards.

Iowa sank 35 percent of its shots, while ISU made 33 percent of its attempts. The Hawkeyes had the advantage on the boards, grabbing 50, while the Redbirds brought down 44. Iowa was 32-of-41 from the free throw line.

Iowa used a 7-0 run early in the game to take a lead three minutes into the contest, 11-4, but a three from Alexis Jenkins cut the Hawkeyes’ lead to four, 11-7. Russell quickly sank two free throws to shrink Iowa’s lead to  11-9  just over four minutes into the game.

The Redbirds went over seven minutes without connecting on a shot, while the Hawkeyes scored five straight points to take an eight-point advantage, 20-12, with 10:15 in the opening half. The Hawkeyes led 39-29 at half.

A 6-0 run by Iowa gave the Hawkeyes a 47-33 advantage with 15:53 left to play. ISU hadn’t scored since the 18:46 minute mark, hen Russell hit a jumper in the lane with 14:44 left to play. Foley hit a three and Chloe Nelson sank a free throw to get the Redbirds within 11 points at 50-39.

The Hawkeyes regained momentum, as they went on a quick 6-0 run to take a 17-point advantage, 56-39. Russell scored six straight points for the Redbirds to pull within 58-45 with 6:50 left in the game. 

Illinois State moves to the consolation bracket of the WNIT and will find out the details of its next game after all of Sunday’s games are complete.

Listen to Stephanie Glance's postgame comments and play-by-play highlights from the game.