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Indiana State University Athletics

ISU Women?s Basketball Outlasts Eastern Illinois, 65-53

Women's Basketball ISU Athletics

ISU Women?s Basketball Outlasts Eastern Illinois, 65-53

Box Score

CHARLESTON, Ill. –The Indiana State women's basketball team pulled away in the second half to defeat Eastern Illinois, 65-53, for its first road win of the season Tuesday evening at Lantz Arena. 

 

The Sycamores improve to 2-0 on the season as three players scored in double-figures including a team-high 24 points from Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir and double-double from junior forward Rachael Mahan.  

 

After trailing for much of the first half, ISU secured a 25-23 halftime lead and opened the second half on a 6-0 run. The Sycamores would lead the entire second half and have now won seven of the eight last meetings between the two teams.

 

Abdul-Qaadir led off by scoring the first six points of the evening. She ended the night 10-for-16 from the floor and 4-for-5 from the free throw line.

 

ISU shot 47.2 percent (25-53) from the floor on the evening backed by Abdul-Qaadir, who also had three steals and two assists. Senior guard Anna Munn dropped 16 points including a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. She's currently a perfect 12-for-12 on the season from the charity stripe.

 

Mahan posts the first double-double of the season and 10th of her career as she posted 10 of her 12 points in the second half. Munn also recorded 10 points in the second half.

 

A back-and-forth battle for much of the first half, ISU found itself into a hole early down by as many as eight with 6:53 left until the break. But Indiana State would go on a 7-0 run as Abdul-Qaadir steal and layup would tie things at 21-21 with 2:26 to play in the first half.  As a team, ISU forced 22 turnover and grabbed 15 steals in the effort.

 

The Sycamores held one of their largest leads with 10:58 to play as Abdul-Qaadir converted on a fast break to go up 37-27. Eastern Illinois didn't make things easy for Indiana State, keeping it within 9:34 to play on a pair of free throws by Kaitlyn Payne. The Sycamores used another 6-0 run to help pull away with 6:54 to play.

 

Sophomore forward Mariana Laramie also scored six points and grabbed eight boards in the win while junior guard Natasha Zurek added four points and freshman forward Rhagen Smith scored three points.

 

The Sycamores return home to Terre Haute on Friday for a matchup with in-state Big 10 foe Indiana. Tipoff is set for 7:05 p.m. ET at the Hulman Center. 

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Players Mentioned

Anna Munn

#33 Anna Munn

G
5' 10"
Senior
Rhagen Smith

#45 Rhagen Smith

F
6' 2"
Freshman
Natasha Zurek

#00 Natasha Zurek

G
5' 9"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Anna Munn

#33 Anna Munn

5' 10"
Senior
G
Rhagen Smith

#45 Rhagen Smith

6' 2"
Freshman
F
Natasha Zurek

#00 Natasha Zurek

5' 9"
Junior
G