TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Bella Finnegan led a trio of Indiana State players in double-figures with 17 points Friday night, helping the Sycamores defeat visiting Valparaiso 70-49 inside Hulman Center.
 
Mya Glanton added 12 points and five rebounds, while Ella Sawyer joined her in double-figures with 10. Chelsea Cain finished just shy of a double-double with eight points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Indiana State outscored Valpo 42-17 in the second half.
 
Indiana State led for a majority of the first half, thanks largely in part to eight points from Finnegan, but four 3-pointers from the visitors in the opening 20 minutes saw the Sycamores trail by four at the intermission. The Trees ratcheted up the pressure in the third quarter, outscoring the Beacons 19-4 and holding Valparaiso without a field goal in the quarter to go up by double-digits. Balanced scoring in the last 20 minutes propelled the Sycamores, who led by as many as 23, to their third conference win of the season.
  
First Half
Baskets from Glanton and Finnegan got the Sycamores off to a strong start, and Finnegan added a 3-pointer to keep it a one-point game early on. Valparaiso led for most of the first quarter, but baskets from Glanton and Asia Donald got the Sycamores within a pair at 16-14 with just under three minutes left. Finnegan capped a strong opening quarter by draining a half-court shot as time expired to give Indiana State an 18-16 lead entering the second.
 
Savannah White got things started for the Sycamores in the second quarter with a layup and Cain added a basket to push the Sycamores' lead up to five. Back-to-back 3-pointers pushed the visitors in front, but Kiley Bess responded with a three-ball to put the Trees back in front. Bess added a jumper to make it 28-27 Indiana State, but a 5-0 run to close the half saw Valparaiso take a 32-28 lead at the break.
 
Second Half
Indiana State stormed in front out of the locker room, as the Sycamores opened the third quarter with a 15-0 run. Sawyer opened the run with a pair of free throws, and consecutive baskets from Cain gave Indiana State a lead it never relinquished. Finnegan heated back up with three baskets, including a trey, during the run, helping Indiana State push its lead to double-digits at 43-42. Glanton added a basket late for the Trees, who held Valpo without a basket in the quarter in taking a 47-36 lead into the fourth.
 
The Sycamores carried their momentum into the fourth quarter, as early baskets from Sawyer and Glanton pushed the lead up to 51-36. Indiana State saw its lead grow thanks in large part to strong shooting from the charity stripe in the quarter, and Donald hit a layup to make it 62-42 in favor of the Sycamores late. The Trees led by as many as 23 following a layup from Saige Stahl, with a strong defensive performance sending the Blue and White to a 70-49 win.
 
News and Notes

• Indiana State held an opponent without a field goal in a quarter for the second time this season, as Valparaiso had just four points, all on free throws, in the third. The Sycamores also accomplished the feat in their conference opener at Evansville.
• Indiana State improved to 4-0 this season when holding its opponent below 60 points, including a 2-0 mark when holding opponents below 50 points.
• The Sycamores' 3-point defense continues to be strong in conference play, as Valparaiso went 5-for-23 (21.7 percent) from behind the arc Friday.
• Indiana State was plus-12 on the glass (38-26), including 13 offensive rebounds.
• Indiana State forced Valparaiso into 19 turnovers and converted those into 26 points on the other end.
• Friday's win was the second this season for the Sycamores when trailing at the half.
• Indiana State made its opportunities from the free throw line count, as the Sycamores were 18-for-22 (81.8 percent) from the charity stripe.

Postgame Press Conference Presented by Team Green Law: Ella Sawyer and Chelsea Cain
 

Postgame Press Conference Presented by Team Green Law: Deidra Johnson


Radio Postgame Interview: Deidra Johnson


Up Next
Indiana State continues its three-game homestand Sunday afternoon when it faces UIC at 1 p.m.
 
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