TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State is back home in Hulman Center on Wednesday night as the Sycamores welcome Eastern Illinois for a midweek nonconference matchup. Tipoff between the Sycamores and the Panthers is set for 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
Game Day Giveaway
The first 50 students in attendance at Wednesday's game will receive a coupon for a FREE crispy chicken sandwich courtesy of Culver's.
Game Preview
The Sycamores (1-1) have been one of the top defensive teams in the nation through the first two games and will look to continue that as the teams continue one of their longest running rivalries against EIU. The rivalry against the Panthers dates back to the 1971-72 season with Indiana State holding the 38-24 edge against Eastern Illinois.
Indiana State brings its nationally-ranked defense back to the court as the Sycamores sit among the country's best in turnovers forced, turnover margin, steals, and steals per game. Indiana State is averaging forcing 31.0 turnovers and 16.0 steals per game over the first two contests in the 2021-22 season against Stephens (Mo.) and Saint Louis.
The Sycamores are coming off their first loss in the 2021-22 season on the road this past Sunday against Saint Louis. Indiana State was paced by
Adrian Folks' career-day against the Billikens as the junior forward put up 24 points and 10 rebounds in her fourth career double-double.
Folks finished with a career-high 24 points on 9-of-22 field goals from the floor and added 10 rebounds for her fourth collegiate double-double in the loss. Folks had 16 points and nine rebounds at the break and provided the spark for the Sycamores (1-1) until a late fourth quarter 13-0 stretch helped the Billikens (1-1) pull away late.
Mya Glanton also added a career-high with nine points while adding five rebounds and a pair of assists in the loss.
Del'Janae Williams added eight points and three rebounds for the Sycamores, while
Caitlin Anderson contributed five points and a pair of steals.
Eastern Illinois (1-0) is undefeated on the season after their opening win over Lindenwood (Mo.), 86-30. Lariah Washington made her first eight shots from the floor on her way to finishing with a team-high 16 points, while Jordyn Hughes (13 points, six rebounds) was also in double-digits for the Panthers.
About the Opponents
Eastern Illinois heads into the Wednesday night contest after taking a short break since their season opener on November 9. The Panthers opened the year with an exhibition win over Illinois Wesleyan (83-54) and an 86-30 win over Lindenwood.
Eastern Illinois was selected seventh overall in the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Poll as selected by the conference's head coaches coming into the year. The Panthers welcomed back the return of the preseason All-OVC selections Abby Wahl (forward) and Lariah Washington (guard) to the court after finishing 11-15 with a 9-11 mark in conference play in the 2020-21 season.
Washington started off the season on a strong note with a team-high 16 points and four assists in the opener against Lindenwood. Jordyn Hughes was also in double-digits with 13 points and six rebounds, while Parker Stafford was the team-leader with eight rebounds in the opener. Taris Thornton was also in double-digits in the season opener with 10 points, three steals, and two blocked shots.
The Sycamores are Eastern Illinois' first of five potential matchups against Missouri Valley opponents this season with EIU scheduled to take on Evansville, Southern Illinois, Western Illinois (potentially), and Loyola Chicago on the year.
Series Review
The Indiana State – Eastern Illinois series dates back to the 1971-72 season when the Sycamores took the first win over the Panthers, 41-32. The Sycamores won six of the first seven contests in the matchup and Indiana State has continued that success over the last 25 years in their annual matchups.
Eastern Illinois' longest streak in the series came from 1988-1990 with the Panthers winning six in a row over the stretch. The Sycamores' longest streak ran from 2001-2010 with Indiana State winning nine consecutive games over the stretch. Overall, the series has swung Indiana State's way with wins in 22 of the last 25 matchups.
Indiana State is 18-9 all-time in the series at home against Eastern Illinois. Wednesday's contest is the first time the two teams battle in Hulman Center since the 2015 season.
Check Your Pockets
Indiana State's defense has been among the nation's best through the first two games of the year as the Sycamores sit in the top-10 in turnovers forced and top-20 in turnover margin, steals, and steals per game. The Sycamores opened the year forcing 36 turnovers and posted 21 steals in against Stephens (Mo.) to begin the
Chad Killinger coaching era. Indiana State followed up forcing 26 more turnovers and posting 11 steals on Sunday against the Billikens.
Overall, the Sycamores sit sixth in the NCAA in turnovers forced (31.00), 14
th in steals per game (15.5), 16
th in total steals (31), and 18
th in turnover margin (12.00).
Caitlin Anderson leads the charge for ISU early in the season with eight steals and leads the Valley in the category on the year.
Offense To Remember
Indiana State made its 2021-22 season debut one to remember as the Sycamores put together one of the most complete performances in program history against the Stephens (Mo.) Stars. All 10 Sycamores that played in the contest were in the scoring column with five players hitting double-digits in the contest. The Sycamores combined to shoot 50.7% from the floor in the game led by
Adrian Folks 16-point performance in the win.
Anna McKendree (13),
Del'Janae Williams (12),
Natalia Lalic (10), and
Caitlin Anderson (10) were also in double-digits for the Sycamores in the win as Indiana State jumped out to a 22-point lead in the first quarter on their way to cruising to the win. Additionally,
Tonysha Curry (8) and
Florence Tshimanga (2) were also in the scoring column for the first time in their ISU career this year.
Hulman Center Upgrades/Guidelines
A $50 million and nearly two-year renovation project added several updates to the building including a new exterior facade and a glass entrance at the south end that adds square footage and event/meeting space. Light through the glass changes the feel of the building. Previously, the bowl was closed off. From the outside and upon entering, people will be able to glimpse the bowl and the building's high-energy events.
A new multi-purpose suite overlooking a new court as well as an open-faced area on the south end of the arena are immediately noticeable. Fans will enjoy new restrooms and concession stands while walking the new concourse area, while instantly noticing the new lighting for the court and an improved sound system.
One of the major parts of the update to Hulman Center was new utility systems, which will make the facility more comfortable while replacing unreliable and inefficient equipment, much of which dated to 1973.
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on Sycamore Women's Basketball, visit
GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including
Twitter,
Facebook,
Instagram and
YouTube. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from the both the
App Store and the
Google Play Store.
