Indiana State University Athletics

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State hosts Loyola Sunday afternoon at the Hulman Center with a chance to move up into the standings. The Sycamores will also honor the three seniors in the program's annual Senior Day ceremony.
 
Wendi Bibbins, Freja Christensen and Ashley Taia will all be recognized in a postgame senior ceremony as the trio will play in their final game at the Hulman Center. But before that, Indiana State will be playing for a third consecutive win and a chance to move into a tie for fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference standings.
 
Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on The Valley on EPSN3. Luke Martin will have the call on the Sycamore Radio Network.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Indiana State holds an 11-4 advantage in the all-time series, including a perfect 6-0 mark when facing the Ramblers at home. Recently the trend has gone towards the trees as the Sycamores have won five straight.

LOOKING AT LOYOLA
Loyola visits Terre Haute having won its last two games and three of its last five contests. The Ramblers, under second-year head coach Kate Achter, have been steadily improving. They rank 23rd nationally in fewest fouls and 36th nationally in fewest fouls per game.
 
Keep an eye on the long-range ability of Jessica Cerda. The Rambler leads the league in 3-point field goals made (60), ranking 118th nationally and her 2.40 3-point field goals made per game ranks second in the league and 93rd nationally.
 
THE LAST TIME VERSUS...
Indiana State 73, Loyola 65 - Jan. 26, 2018 - Chicago, Ill.
When adversity hit for Indiana State Friday night, the biggest player on the court for the Sycamores stood at an imposing five feet, five inches tall.
 
With five minutes remaining on the clock and host Loyola having cut the Sycamores' lead from as much as 20 down to 13, the point guard known to her teammates as "Biggie" stepped up in a big way. Ashli O'Neal scored nine of her game-high 21 points over the final five minutes including making all four free throw attempts in the final minute of play to help Indiana State seal a 73-65 win over Loyola in Missouri Valley Conference play at Gentile Arena.
 
The play of the sophomore point guard was a welcome relief for Keister and Indiana State (6-13, 4-4). His squad, despite three quarters of solid play, found themselves in a battle after Loyola (3-16, 1-7) opened the final frame on a 9-0 run.
 
TOTAL ECLIPSE OF LAST YEAR'S MVC WIN TOTAL
With a 74-70 win at Bradley on Feb. 18, the Sycamores claimed their seventh Missouri Valley Conference win of the season, eclipsing last year's conference win total of six. Additionally, Indiana State has been hot lately, winning seven of their last 10 games and maintaining a hold on fifth place in The Valley.
 
COMEBACK - PART II
Despite trailing by 15 points midway through the second quarter, Indiana State rallied back for a 74-70 win at Bradley on Feb. 18. That marked the second time Josh Keister has led the Sycamores back from a double-digit deficit this season. ISU trailed Evansville by 13 on Jan. 5 in Terre Haute but rallied back for a 56-48 win.
 
POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE
As Indiana State hosts Valparaiso (Feb. 23) and Loyola (Feb. 25) this weekend, it will mark the final home games for three Sycamore Seniors – Wendi Bibbins, Freja Christensen and Ashley Taia. The trio will be honored on Senior day on Feb. 25 as they play their final home game at the Hulman Center.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Indiana State 64, Valparaiso 46 – Feb. 23, 2018 – Terre Haute, Ind.
Tremendous. That was the descriptor Indiana State interim head coach Josh Keister used to describe his team's defense Friday night over Valparaiso at the Hulman Center, securing a season sweep over the newest members of the Missouri Valley Conference.
 
It's tough to argue against that statement. The Sycamores (10-16, 8-7) held the visiting Crusaders to just 29.8 percent shooting and scored 24 points off 20 Valpo turnovers en route to a 64-46 win. 
 
Ashley Taia and Ashli O'Neal each scored 13 points and Wendi Bibbins posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds in the win. Ty Battle added another 10 points and eight rebounds.
 
But the defensive numbers were even more striking. Valparaiso (11-15, 4-11) had only three assists to their 20 turnovers and Indiana State allowed only three Valpo offensive rebounds in the second half.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Women's Basketball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.