NORMAL– The Illinois State Women’s basketball team met the University of Northern Iowa in a very important Missouri Valley conference matchup Friday night at Redbird Arena.

Jamie Russell, named MVC newcomer of the week for the fourth week this season Monday, came out to play hard in the matchup against the Panthers. Right from the start she played tough defense against a very good Northern Iowa team, as of late winning five of their last six games. Russell went so hard trying to get a steal at one point early in the first half she crashed into the officiating board on the sidelines. This wouldn’t slow her down, as she grabbed a steal quickly after her flop. Among this tough defense, Candace Sykes went hard to the net and had a scare as she fell hard to the ground and had to be taken out early, but returned to the crowds delight at around five minutes into the game.

Despite tough defense early on, the Panthers were able to drive hard and get up 11-8 in the first with 13:00 left in the first. The Redbirds at this point began using the full court press to try and slow them down. While pressing the Redbirds got a steal and scored to pull them back within one. In retaliation UNI began pressing right back, and really set a high pace for this physical game. As the rest of the first went on, the quick play from both sides did not slow down. It began to favor the Panthers as they got a lead of five with the score 31-26 after a three-pointer from Katelin Oney, but ISU was able to come back and pull ahead going into the half. Some more quick steals from Russell and sharpshooting from Katie Broadway led the Redbirds to a 44-38 lead at the half.

After playing great defensively in the first half, getting four of the Redbirds five steals, Russell came out strong offensively to begin the second half. After a three-point shot from Broadway to begin the game, Russell drove to the net right after to put ISU up by ten, 49-39. Northern Iowa would contest this score, Brittani Donaldson hitting a three as well to get the deficit down to 5 with the score being 51-46, but Illinois State began to run away with the game thanks to a tremendous effort from both Russell and Broadway. Russell was most definitely not afraid to shoot, playing a quick offense and knocking down some tough shots.

The Redbirds were able to gain the lead of the game with 8:50 left in regulation, with a score of 65-50. Broadway was able to increase to the lead to as high as fifteen after hitting a highly contested three-point shot. The two teams went back and forth for the next five minutes, with the Panthers slowly creeping back into the game to bring the score to 71-63 with 3:30 left in the second. The Redbirds would not let Northern get any closer to tying the game, outshooting and out-rebounding the Panthers. Sophomore Hall stepped up underneath the basket to grab a rebound and return it for two points for ISU. Another three from Broadway sealed the deal, and ISU went on to increase to lead to 16 winning the game 84-68.

The women will be back in action this Sunday afternoon, taking on MVC opponent and bitter rival Bradley. Tip-off is set for 2:05pm at Doug Collins Court.