Category: Redzone

The Illinois State Women’s Basketball team will be headed back to the Missouri Valley Conference Championship game for the first time in 5 years. It took an overtime period but the ‘Birds were able to defeat the number two seeded Creighton Bluejays in the semi-finals. Candace Sykes led the way for ‘Birds recording her second straight double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.

ISU jumped out to an early 5-0 lead but Creighton responded scoring four quick points to get to within one. That was as close as the Bluejays would get in the first half as the two teams traded buckets until about six minutes to go in the half. The Redbirds were up by two before going on a 14 to 5 run to end the half and lead by 11.

In the second half Creighton looked like a completely different team as they found their shooting stroke from behind the arc. The Bluejays started the half shooting a ridiculous 4-5 from behind the arc as they proceeded to go on a 24-6 run to open the second half and take their first lead of the night by a score of 42-37.

Creighton would extend their lead to nine points, with a 55-46 lead, before the Redbirds battled back. Creighton would go ice cold after their hot start to the second half failing to score in the final 5:20 of the game. The birds would go on a 9 to 0 run to end regulation and send the game into overtime as both teams failed to score in the final two minutes of the game.

In overtime both teams struggled to score until Candace Sykes hit a 3-pointer and drew a foul with just under three minutes left, but she would miss the free throw attempt. The ‘Birds would not give up the lead for the rest of the game as Creighton got the lead down to one a couple different times. Good free throw shooting down the stretch helped the Redbirds go on to a 64-61 victory.

In a game where both teams struggled shooting the ball it was the defense that propelled ISU Women’s Basketball Team to victory over the Bradley Braves. This is the first time in four years that the Redbirds were able to advance past the quarter finals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

The Braves took an early 10-8 lead and eventually went up 15-9 as ISU went almost 6 minutes without a basket. Janae Smith carried the Redbirds early on with six quick points before a crucial time out. With about 10 minutes left in the first half Head Coach Stephanie Glance called a timeout that seemed to spark the redbirds as the preceded to go on a 17-1 run to end the half leading by 10.

In the second half Jamie Russell traded baskets with Katie Yohn of the Braves as the two players finally found their shooting stroke. The two teams went back and forth with the Redbirds maintaining a comfortable lead until the final minutes of the game.

Bradley finally found a way to slow down Russell and the Birds as they got to within two points with about two minutes left. However, as the Birds have done all season, they locked down defensively and forced the Braves into tough shots that just wouldn’t fall. Bradley was forced to foul down the stretch which allowed the birds to build the lead back up and win by the final score of 59-48.

ISU’s Red Alert hosted their first ever Redbird Social Media Night Pep Rally Tuesday night.  103.3 WZND’s The Red Zone was able to get to talk to some of the players about their involvement on Twitter.

Make sure to tune into The Red Zone with Chris and Joe every Thursday night at 6:30.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

ISU’s Red Alert hosted their first ever Redbird Social Media Night Pep Rally Tuesday night.  103.3 WZND’s The Red Zone was able to get to talk to some of the players about their involvement on Twitter.

Make sure to tune into The Red Zone with Chris and Joe every Thursday night at 6:30.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

ISU’s Red Alert hosted their first ever Redbird Social Media Night Pep Rally Tuesday night.  103.3 WZND’s The Red Zone was able to get to talk to some of the players about their involvement on Twitter.

Make sure to tune into The Red Zone with Chris and Joe every Thursday night at 6:30.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

NORMAL– This week Joe, Chris, and guest Adam Sparks talked a little NFL football. Listen below to hear their take on the Indianapolis Colts and their picks in this weeks Pick Six.

Pick Six Standings (As of 11/4)

Chris    27-10

Joe        24-13

Guest    24-13

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Brock Spack graced his presence in the basement of Fell Hall Thursday night.  Joe Brand got a chance to sit down with the ISU Head Football Coach with his thoughts on Homecoming weekend.

Be sure to tune into The Red Zone every Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. with Joe and Chris.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Red Zone is WZND’s weekly sports talk show hosted by Joe Brand and Chris Highland.  It airs every Thursday night at 6:30 and will begin during the start of the 2012 Fall semester.  Only on 103.3 WZND Fuzed Radio.

- NFL Championship reaction

- Looking ahead to ISU basketball vs. Missouri State

- Commentary on the latest national headlines

Redbird basketball hitting its’ stride during MVC action

Looking ahead to the Packers/Steelers matchup

Updates on the latest national headlines