PEORIA, Ill. – Indiana State will face Bradley in Peoria on Sunday in a pivotal game in determining the Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball standings.
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The Sycamores (8-16, 6-7) are currently a half-game ahead of Bradley (12-13, 6-8) in a closely-contested league where everyone is trying to finish in the top six and earn a first round bye at the MVC Tournament.
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Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on The Valley on ESPN3 while
Luke Martin will have the call on the Sycamore Radio Network.
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SERIES HISTORY
Just a little blip. That's what last year's loss to Bradley was, ending a 10-game winning streak over the Braves. Still, ISU has won 13 out of the last 16 games in the series and has a commanding 50-25 lead overall in the series with a 22-17 advantage in Peoria.
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THE LAST TIME
Indiana State 65, Bradley 50 – Jan. 19, 2018 – Terre Haute, Ind.
The effort finally broke through in the form of a win for Indiana State Friday night.
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Despite a pair of solid efforts and improved play last weekend, the wins were elusive. That is but a memory now as the Sycamores (4-13, 2-4 Missouri Valley) controlled the pace of play from start to finish in a 65-50 win over Bradley Friday evening at the Hulman Center.
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Play continued to improve for Indiana State as four players registered double-digit points, a first for the team against a Division I opponent this season. And for the third time in five games, the Sycamores were credited with double figures in steals (12), forcing Bradley (9-8, 3-3) into their most turnovers since early December.
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More importantly, a team that has seen so many games slip through their fingers this year finally withstood an opponent's rally and hit timely shots to keep control of the outcome.
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Wendi Bibbins led ISU with 14 points while
Alexis Delgado (12 points),
Ashley Taia (11) and
Tierra Webb (11) were integral components on the Sycamore offense.
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LOOKING AT BRADLEY
Another defensive challenge for the Sycamores, Bradley enters Sunday's game ranked 49th nationally in 3-point field goal defense (29.0) and 60th nationally in field goal defense (37.5). The Braves were rejuvenated on Friday with a 92-47 win over Evansville after entering the weekend having lost four of their previous five games.
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Part of the reason Bradley is so good defensively i due to their ability to block shots. The Braves rank 56th nationally in blocks per game (4.4) and 62nd nationally in total blocks (110), leading The Valley in both categories.
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TURNOVER TALLY
Indiana State continues to improve on its turnover marks and it's starting to get noticed. Entering this game, the Sycamores are ranked 60th nationally in the fewest turnovers committed (348), a mark that ranks second in The Valley behind only Missouri State.
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THIEVING TREES
State doesn't discriminate. It takes and it takes and it takes. Credit the Sycamores as they enter this game ranked 55th in the nation and first in The Valley in steals per game (9.8) and 73rd in the nation in steals (236), also ranking first in The Valley.
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FORCING THE ISSUE
In addition to Indiana State leading The Valley in steals, the Sycamores are tops in the league and among the best in the conference in turnovers forced. Ranked 93rd nationally, ISU is averaging 17.54 turnovers. Additionally, Indiana State ranks 81st nationally and second in The Valley in turnovers per game (14.5).
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TREES TOPS IN TURNOVER MARGIN
With ISU leading the league in steals per game and turnovers forced, it comes as no surprise that Indiana State ranks 66th in the nation – and second in The Valley – in turnover margin, with a +3.04 clip this season.
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LAST TIME OUT
Illinois State 63, Indiana State 53 - Feb. 16, 2018 - Normal, Ill.
Ashli O'Neal scored 14 points and was one of three Sycamores in double figures but Illinois State was uncharacteristically hot shooting from downtown as Indiana State dropped a 63-53 decision Friday evening.
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Illinois State (12-13, 6-8 Missouri Valley) has averaged under 27 percent shooting from beyond the arc this year and average just four 3-pointers per game but the Redbirds went 4-for-4 from downtown in the third quarter alone and shot 50 percent from long range.
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The Redbirds were led by Simone Goods' 29 points and 10 rebounds while Katrina Beck (13) and Hannah Green (11) also scored in double figures.
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Indiana State (8-16, 6-7) committed 18 turnovers in the game, the most since Keister assumed the head coach responsibilities on Jan. 2, while succumbing to foul trouble with 23 charged fouls called on the Sycamores. Illinois State was whistled only 10 times and the Trees only attempted 10 free throws.
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For the latest information on the Sycamore Women's Basketball team, make sure to check outÂ
GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media includingÂ
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Instagram.
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