Courtesy ISU Sports Information:

Nicolle Lewis scored a team-high 16 points and corralled eight rebounds to lead a dominating second half offensive effort, and lift the Illinois State women’s basketball team (21-3, 11-2 MVC) to a convincing 77-57 win over visiting Wichita State (9-17, 3-11 MVC) on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena Thursday night. The win kept the Redbirds alone atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings, and secured the season sweep over the Shockers.

Lewis’ 16 points led all scorers, while Kristi Cirone (15) joined her in double figures. Cirone also tallied eight steals defensively, tying a career-high. Wichita State was led by Kyrie Kinder, who scored nine points. ISU held a 40-27 rebounding advantage, and enjoyed a 48-22 advantage in the paint. The Redbirds forced the Shockers into 20 turnovers, scoring 30 points off those mishaps. ISU also converted 23 points via the fast break.

“I thought we anticipated well on the defensive end,” said ISU head coach Robin Pingeton. “We made an extra effort to get into the passing lanes, and good things happened as a result. I thought Kristi really got out in the passing lanes, and Ashleen Bracey had some nice steals. We had a stronger sense of urgency in the second half.”

The first half was dominated by runs, as there were a combined five ties and lead changes. The Redbirds held off an early Wichita State surge, and jumped out to an 11-4 lead at the first media timeout (15:04). All five starters converted field goals in the opening four minutes of the stanza. Wichita State answered with a 12-2 spree, and took a 16-13 lead with 12:02 left in the first half. Kinder scored five points in the stretch to pace the Shockers.

The Redbirds countered with a 13-0 spree over the ensuing seven minutes, and took a commanding 26-16 lead after Lewis converted a conventional three-point play. Wichita State finished the frame on an 8-2 run, capped off by Jadhon Kerr’s layup as time expired, to pull within four points (28-24) heading into the locker room at halftime.

Lewis and Cirone each chipped in seven points to lead ISU’s first half offensive effort, while the Shockers were led by Kiki Stephens, who’s four points led seven Wichita State players that cracked the scoring column.

The Redbirds opened the second half on a dominating 13-4 run, and forced Wichita State into its first timeout of the half, trailing 41-28. Maggie Krick started the flurry with a three-pointer, and Lewis and Shala Jackson followed with field goals. Cirone took matters into her own hands leading up to the first timeout of the stanza (14:14), swiping two-consecutive steals and going coast-to-coast for transition layups. Overall, the Redbirds hit 10-of their first 11 field goal attempts before forcing the Shockers into their second timeout of the half (12:55) with a commanding 51-30 lead.

ISU’s lead reached 27 points, 57-30, before the Shockers responded with a 10-2 run to pull back within 19, 59-40. The Shockers never got any closer than 17 points for the remainder of the game. Reserves Lashawn Johnson, Ashley Sandstead, Amanda Clifton and Danielle Calef all scored down the stretch.