TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State was unable to get in a rhythm on the offensive end Friday evening, as the Sycamores dropped a 54-47 decision to visiting Valparaiso inside Hulman Center.
 
Chelsea Cain led the Sycamores with 12 points, while Del'Janae Williams added 10 for the Blue and White. Mya Glanton and Bella Finnegan grabbed a team-leading six rebounds each.
 
Indiana State trailed for most of the second half, but managed to get within two early in the fourth quarter following an Anna McKendree fastbreak layup. The Sycamores went on a scoring drought of more than five minutes following that basket, though, which proved to be the difference as Valpo went on a 10-0 run during that span. Despite a pair of late baskets, Indiana State's struggles were too much to overcome.
 
First Half
Indiana State started slow, but back-to-back baskets by Williams, including a 3-pointer, gave the Sycamores a 9-4 lead midway through the opening quarter. Valparaiso responded, though, as the Beacons closed the period on a 7-1 run to take an 11-10 lead after one.
 
Neither team led by more than four early in the second quarter, with a 7-0 Sycamore run giving Indiana State a 19-16 lead. McKendree kickstarted the run with a 3-pointer, which was followed by free throws from Finnegan and a layup by Cain. An acrobatic three-point play by Williams and a Finnegan layup gave the Sycamores their largest lead at 24-19, but Valpo closed the half on a strong note. The Sycamores and Beacons went into the intermission tied at 25.  
 
Second Half
Cain gave Indiana State the lead early in the third quarter with a layup, but a 7-1 Valpo scoring run followed and the Beacons never trailed from there. Caitlin Anderson connected on a floater to cut the lead back down to two at 32-30, but the visitors upped their advantage back to eight with another scoring run late in the quarter. Williams knocked down a pair of free throws inside the final minute for the Sycamores, who trailed 38-34 heading into the fourth.
 
Indiana State cut its deficit down to 38-36 less than a minute into the fourth on a McKendree layup, which came off a forced turnover. That was the closest the Sycamores got, though, as Valpo went on a 10-0 run spanning more than five minutes to take a double-digit lead. Anderson ended the scoring drought with a layup and Cain hit a 3-pointer, her first of the season, to cut the Valpo lead down to 50-41, but the Sycamores were unable to close the gap until inside the final minute. Late baskets by McKendree and Sommer Pitzer made it 54-47, which wound up being the final score.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Indiana State forced 21 turnovers Friday, which the Sycamores turned into 20 points on the other end.
• Indiana State's bench combined for 12 points on a 5-for-9 shooting clip from the field.

 
News & Notes

• Anna McKendree was recognized as the Sycamores' Brenda Howell Spirit Award winner pregame.
• Del'Janae Williams was recognized pregame for surpassing 1,000 points in her career. Williams currently sits 28th in program history with 1,018 points.

 
Up Next
Indiana State remains at home to face UIC Sunday at 1 p.m. Sunday's game is the Sycamores' Shoot for a Cure game, and fans are encouraged to wear pink.
 
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