TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State had four players score in double digits, led by 16 points out of both Wendi Bibbins and Ashli O'Neal, and withstood a second half rally in a 74-67 win over Loyola Sunday afternoon.
 
The win moves Indiana State (11-16, 9-7) into a tie for fourth place in the Missouri Valley Conference Standings and clinches a finish no lower than fifth with just two games left to play in the regular season. That secures Indiana State's highest finish in The Valley since sharing the regular season championship during the 2013-14 season.
 
But to reach that height, the Sycamores had to dig deep. A 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter was whittled to three as the visiting Ramblers (7-20, 5-11 MVC) charged back midway through the final quarter. That is when O'Neal hit the crucial 3-point shot on an assist from Ashley Taia to end Loyola's 6-0 run.
 
However, the Ramblers wouldn't go away. Katie Salmon hit a layup with just under three minutes remaining to cut the Indiana State lead to 62-61. Then the seniors had their day. Taia got a layup on an offensive rebound, grabbed a defensive rebound which eventually led to a 3-point shot by O'Neal, her third of the game and second of the quarter. Taia hit a pair of free throws, O'Neal hit a pair of free throws and then Wendi Bibbins ended any hope for Loyola with a fastbrak layup with eight seconds left.
 
"That is a team that has gotten better and better as the season has gone on," said Indiana State interim head coach Josh Keister. "We kind of had to grind it out there but that is the story of our group here the past month. When we've had to make stops, we've gotten them. We've gotten key plays, whether it is Ashley Taia getting to the free throw line or Biggie (Ashli O'Neal) hitting another 3-point shot, we made enough plays down the stretch to separate. I'm very relieved, proud of our team and glad we were able to get a tough win today."
 
The critical plays came late in the game as the Sycamore offense reignited itself after a stellar first half, scoring 45 points and shooting 57 percent from the field. But the Ramblers shot equally as well, 52.6 percent, and trailed by 13 at halftime.
 
Despite the change in fortune late in the game, Indiana State continued to push ball movement and take advantage of good looks, shots that seemingly found the bucket in the first half but managed to fall out in the second. That ball movement contributed to a positive assist-to-turnover ratio for the third consecutive game and third consecutive win.
 
"We got a little stagnant in the second half and Loyola had a big reason behind that," Keister said. "This is the third straight game that we have more assists than turnovers. Anytime we have more assists than turnovers, we are getting the right shots and we are moving the ball. I think our overall balance has helped us. Then we've just had different people step up at different times. That is what has made this group dangerous right now."
 
Loyola, which shot an impressive 47 percent from the field, had three players reach double figures led by the 19 points by Jessica Cerda.
 
Southern Illinois (14-13, 9-7), also tied for fourth, now awaits Indiana State. The two teams are set to tipoff on Thursday, March 1 in Carbondale, Illinois.
 
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.