WSU women edge Illinois State
The Wichita State women’s team scored the game’s final seven points and edged Illinois State 46-41 on Friday night in Normal, Ill., barely avoiding an upset against the last-place team in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Illinois State (1-24, 1-13 MVC) was nearly the beneficiary of WSU’s cold shooting from the perimeter — the Shockers were 0 for 13 from three-point range.
The Shockers led 29-19 after an Alie Decker jumperd with 16:13 left in the game but WSU couldn’t put the Redbirds away, and Illinois State managed to take a 41-39 lead with 4:29 remaining. The Redbirds didn’t score another point, missing five field goals and a free throw the rest of the way as the Shockers rallied.
Jamillah Bonner hit a jumped with 3:11 left to tie the score, and Kelsey Jacobs’ layup with 2:27 left put WSU ahead 43-41.
Alex Harden led Wichita State with 17 points and five steals. Kelsey Jacobs added 12 points.
Wichita State (21-4, 12-1) remained tied for first place in the Valley with Drake, which beat Evansville in overtime on Friday.
WICHITA STATE (21-4): Bonner 1-8 1-2 3, Jacobs 5-7 2-2 12, Decker 1-8 0-0 2, Harden 7-12 3-3 17, Ma Dapprich 4-13 0-0 8, Stovall 0-1 0-0 0, White 0-0 0-0 0, Martin 0-1 0-0 0, Chapel 2-4 0-0 4, Ma. Dapprich 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-55 12-15 46
ILLINOIS STATE (1-24): Crump 1-7 1-2 3, L. Smith 2-6 7-8 11, Bess 1-2 1-1 3, Sims 4-9 1-2 10, Winge 2-9 0-0 5, C. Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Tolar 0-1 0-0 0, Stewart 3-6 2-2 9, Freeman 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 13-40 12-15 41.
Halftime – Wichita State 21, Illiniois State 16. 3’s – Wichita State 0-13 (Bonner 0-3, Decker 0-4, Mi. Dapprich 0-5, Stovall 0-1), Illinois State 3-12 (L. Smith 0-3, Sims 1-3, Winge 1-3, Tolar 0-1, Stewart 1-2). Rebounds – Wichita State 36 (Ma. Dapprich 13), Illinois State 30 (Crump 11). Assists – Wichita State 10 (Harden 4), Illinois State 7 (Stewart 4). Fouls — Wichita State 15, Illinois State 12.
This story was originally published February 20, 2015 at 9:49 PM with the headline "WSU women edge Illinois State."