TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State women's basketball outscored Tulsa 27-9 in the third quarter to complete a 14-point comeback and defeat the Golden Hurricane, 72-68, inside the Hulman Center Wednesday afternoon to close out the nonconference schedule.
The Sycamore offense made a complete turn in the second half, finishing shooting 43.3 percent (13-of-30) and getting physical to reach the free throw line, nailing 17-of-24 shots from the charity stripe. Tulsa came into the game shooting lights out from three but the Sycamores held the Golden Hurricane to 8-of-26 from downtown for a 30.6 percent.
Wendi Bibbins came up big for the Sycamores (6-5) during the second half on her way to a 19-point performance to lead the way for ISU. The Harvey, Louisiana native scored 17 of her points in the second half with 10 coming in the fourth quarter. Bibbins also grabbed eight rebounds to pace the Sycamores, including three on the offensive end.
Sophomore Tierra Webb (12) and junior Ashley Taia (11) joined Bibbins in double-digit scoring. Webb scored 10 of her 12 points in the second half while Taia scored five of her points from the charity stripe and added six rebounds to spark ISU.
Tulsa (4-9) came out hustling for every ball, finishing with the first half with 15 offensive rebounds in the first half alone. TU outrebounded Indiana State 47-38 and finished the game with 23 offensive rebounds. The Sycamores defense stepped up, holding Tulsa to just 14 second chance points in the game.
Indiana State continued its third period barrage Wednesday, erasing a 35-26 halftime deficit in just six minutes while outscoring TU 14-7 to start the period. Taia, Bibbins and Webb each chipped in the scoring column in the period with Taia scoring a team-high eight points. ISU got on the offensive boards during the run, turning six rebounds into six points.
The Sycamores improve to 2-0 against the Golden Hurricane all-time after defeating TU for the second time in as many years.
Indiana State will open Missouri Valley Conference play December 30 as they travel to in-state opponent Evansville.
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.
