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Illinois State’s Alexis Jenkins hit a jump shot at the buzzer, giving the Redbirds a 57-56 victory over Wichita State’s women on Thursday night in Normal, Ill.
The Shockers took a one-point lead with seven seconds left on a tip-in by Chynna Turner. The Redbirds inbounded the ball without a timeout and worked it up the court to Jenkins, who hit the game-winner.
WSU led for nearly the entire second half. The lead reached 41-29 on a basket by Michelle Price with 14:06 to play. Illinois State whittled the margin to 46-44 at the 5:40 mark, but WSU held on until two free throws by Brianna Puni with 34 seconds left put Illinois State on top 55-54.
Alex Harden was the only Shocker in double figures, scoring 17 points. Janae Smith scored 17 for the Redbirds (19-8, 11-4 MVC).
Both teams struggled to score in the first half — the Rebirds led 6-4 after six minutes, and neither team scored in the final 2:50 of the half.
Wichita State (19-9, 13-3) holds a half-game lead over Creighton in the MVC standings. Creighton finishes the season with home games against Drake, Evansville and Southern Illinois. WSU has road games left at Indiana State and Missouri State.
WICHITA STATE (19-9): Harden 8-16 1-2 17, Turner 3-11 0-0 6, Gordon 3-8 0-0 6, Jones 2-4 0-0 5, Diamond 4-11 1-2 9, Jacobs 0-1 0-0 0, Dapprich 2-5 0-0 5, Fountaine 2-6 2-2 6, Wells 0-0 0-0 0, Price 1-3 0- 2. Totals 25-65 4-6 56.
ILLINOIS STATE (19-8). Smith 7-10 3-8 17, Puni 3-5 3-3 9, Jenkins 3-7 0-0 6, Foley 0-3 0- 0, Russell 4-10 1-1 9, Sykes 5-18 0-1 12, Nelson 0-0 0-0 0, Winge 1-1 0- 2, Oliver 1-4 0-0 2. Totals 24-58 7-13 57.
Halftime — WSU 24-21. Three-pointers — WSU 2-10 (Jones 1-1, Dapprich 1-2, Turner 0-1, Diamond 0-3, Fountaine 0-3), ISU 2-8 (Sykes 2-6, Jenkins 0-1, Foley 0-1). Rebounds — WSU 40 (Gordon 10), ISU 41 (Sykes 10). Assists — WSU 9 (Diamond 3), ISU 12 (Jenkins, Russell 3). Fouls — WSU 14, ISU 12. A — 1,357.
