Tag: Missouri Valley Conference

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.

NORMAL–Illinois State and Bradley played their second of three games today at Duffy Bass Field,
After losing 13-2 Friday, ISU’s Bats came alive in game 2, Scoring 12 runs the Redbirds won easily 12-3. Left hander Dylan Craig lasted 6innings and got the win. The second inning proved to be a huge one for the Redbirds who knocked out Justin Zeigler who gave up 5 earned runs, Zac Johnson led off the bottom 2nd with a triple for the redbirds, Eric Aguilera was hit by a pitch, DH Mike Hollenback hit a sac fly to open the scoring and Kyle followed up with a rbi double, Matt Mirabell hit a single and scored on the single by Chad Hinshaw, Ty Weisemeyer knock in another run with a double. Dylan Craig gave up one hit in the top of the first but got out of trouble. Bradley got a run back in the top of the 3rd second baseman Chris Godinez hit a home run to cut it to 5-1. For Dylan Craig struggled for the first time with 2 outs in the top of the 4th, but was able to strike out the side to end the threat. ISU scored in bunches again in the bottom of the 4th, Kyle Stanton led off with a walk followed by a bunt single, Chad Hinshaw reached on an error and Ty Weisemeyer crushed a first pitch fastball a grandslam to extend their lead to 9-1, after a 2 out walk, David Koll’s afternoon was done. Koll allowed 4 runs 3 of which were earned in 2 innings of relief for the Braves. Bradley reliever Justin Adkins came in relief of Koll, Adkins worked quickly in the 5th as the Redbirds went down in order. In the top of the 6th Craig got into some trouble with two outs before setting down the Braves as he found his groove with his third straight scoreless inning. Adkins also found his groove for the Braves as he pitched he second straight scoreless innings. Jeremy Rhoades came in the top of the 7th and gave up a 2 run bomb after a leadoff walk, then gave up a double and his outing was done. Right hander Justin Hauer came in and shut it down. Hauer gave a long leadoff single to Bradley’s Max Murphy and a walk but managed to elude runs being scored. Adkins gave up that dreaded leadoff walk to ISU’s Brett Kay and a double to Chad Hindshaw, and walked Kevin Tokarski, prompted Bradley head coach Elvis Dominguez to go to his bullpen again and bring in Graig Weber. ISU scored 2 more in the bottom of the 8th. ISU closer Kenny Long came in and had a 1-2-3 inning to end the game, 12-3 final. The Redbirds are now 21-15 while Bradley is 20-15-1.

After beating Northern Iowa, and then No. 25 Wichita State at the MVC tournament, the Redbirds nearly sent themselves to their first NCAA tournament since 1998, but fell short in overtime to No. 25 Creighton. Many believe the ‘Birds have a chance at the NCAA tournament next season.

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Illinois State junior Chris McIntyre discusses his incredible battle with cancer and his performance on the field.

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