CANCUN, Mexico – Ashli O'Neal scored a career-high 22 points and was an impressive 9-for-10 from the free throw line as Indiana State claimed a 57-45 win over Montana Thursday evening at the Cancun Challenge.
 
O'Neal was one of three Sycamores in double figures as Tierra Webb added 13 points and Alexis Delgado scored another 11.
 
Overall Indiana State (1-3) was 80 percent (16-20) from the free throw line, a rate the team has not hit from the charity stripe since last December. O'Neal went to the line for half of those 20 attempts, hitting nine of them. She also added a trio of 3-pointers and swiped three steals.
 
"For Ashli O'Neal, it was not just 22 points but in the fashion she did it – knocking down open shots and getting to the free throw line, going 9 of 10," explained Indiana State head coach Joey Wells. "Leading our team in different ways. If she can continue to get better and do those things, this team will continue to get better.
 
But contributions come in more forms than just points. The team dished out a season-best 11 assists and even though Wendi Bibbins only tallied two points, she posted career-best marks in steals (5) and assists (4) and brought down 10 rebounds.
 
"If you would have said we had a chance to win any game when Wendi Bibbins, our post player, goes 1-for-10 from the field, I would have say you are a little crazy," Wells said. "But she did so many other things for us tonight."
 
For the Sycamores, it was relying on the trio of hot hands, Bibbins' aggressive play and an overall defensive pressure to keep Montana's offense from getting into rhythm. The Griz were held scoreless over the final 5:05 of the first quarter and giving ISU an eight-point lead at the first break, a lead that the Trees would not relinquish.
 
Montana (0-4) was led by Jace Henderson's 11 points.
 
The Sycamores will now face South Dakota (2-2) at 6:30 p.m. Friday – a turnaround of less than 24 hours. USD dropped an eight-point decision to Oklahoma State Thursday afternoon.
 
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.