ISU women’s basketball falls to NIU

Posted on November 27, 2016
The Redbird came up short against the Huskies in Saturday's game. (WJBC File Photo)
The Redbird came up short against the Huskies in Saturday’s game. (WJBC File Photo)

By WJBC Staff

DEKALB – The Illinois State women’s basketball team was defeated by Northern Illinois, 108-66, Saturday night at the NIU Convocation Center.

The Redbirds (2-3) entered the contest with only eight healthy bodies and were down three starters. The Huskies could not miss at all from the field, shooting 51.8 percent, including 13-of-25 from three-point range. NIU was around 60 percent for most of the contest, before shooting only 7-of-24 over the final 10 minutes, in a quarter Illinois State outscored the Huskies, 18-17.

NIU led 24-16 after the first quarter, but put the game away with a 37-18 advantage in the second stanza, as the Huskies made 13-of-18 shots in the period.

The home team also dominated in the paint and on the glass. NIU tallied 57 points in the paint and outrebounded the Redbirds, 57-31, including 21-10 on the offensive end, which led to a 20-5 cushion in second-chance points.
Senior Taylor Stewart led the offense with 17 points and a team-high four assists, while freshman Morgan VanHyfte came off the bench to add 15 points, four rebounds and three assists – all season highs. Sophomore Katrina Beck chipped in 10 points, with seven coming in the first quarter.

Freshman Megan Talbot, who made her first career start, finished with season highs of nine points, six rebounds and two blocks. Fellow classmates Frannie Corrigan, who also made her first career start, and Zakiya Beckles finished with six and five points, respectively.

“This was an opportunity for our freshmen to gain valuable experience,” head coach Barb Smith said. “Morgan stepped up and was a tough competitor. I am disappointed with the rebounding – that is something we need to get better at. Overall, I thought it was a good test in the nonconference, and hopefully we get some more healthy bodies back sooner rather than later.”

Illinois State finished the contest shooting 35.7 percent, including 8-of-23 from behind the arc. The Redbirds also took care of the basketball, turning it over only a season-low 10 times.

Illinois State returns to action Thursday, Dec. 1 when the Redbirds welcome Eastern Illinois to Redbird Arena to start a four-game homestand.

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