TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State women's basketball made its 2025-26 home debut Tuesday night inside Hulman Center and delivered an emphatic response, cruising past Eastern Illinois 90-69 to notch its first win of the season.
Tierney Kelsey once again led the way off the bench, posting a game and career-high 22 points.
Jayci Allen followed with 21 points and
Clemisha Prackett chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Sycamores' first double-double of the season.
Kennedy Claybrooks directed the offense with eight assists as the Sycamores improved to 1-1 on the year.
Indiana State led for nearly the entirety of the game, but things didn't come easy in the early stages. The Sycamores used a 15-2 run early in the second quarter to take control as Kelsey and Allen both hit double-figures in the first half, but EIU fought back and was within two possessions at the half. Indiana State extended its lead back to double-digits in the third quarter and used a 14-3 run to start the fourth quarter to effectively put the game out of reach. Prackett nearly recorded a double-double in just the fourth quarter as the Trees picked up their first win of the season in the home opener.
First Half
Indiana State struck first, jumping out to a quick 5-0 lead behind a three-pointer from
Samiyah Briggs and a driving layup from Claybrooks. Eastern Illinois responded with a 12-2 run to take control early, but the Sycamores answered right back. A balanced attack featuring five different scorers fueled a 10-2 Indiana State run, putting the Trees back in front 17-14 late in the first quarter. After EIU tied it up with free throws in the final seconds,
Da'Naria Washington knocked down two of her own to give Indiana State a 19-17 edge after 10 minutes.
The Sycamores extended their lead midway through the second quarter, using another strong stretch sparked by Allen to go up 35-19. The Panthers trimmed the margin with a 9-0 run, but Kelsey halted the momentum with a pair of free throws. Both teams traded baskets and trips to the line in the closing minutes, as the half ended with Indiana State holding a 42-37 advantage.
Second Half
Indiana State came out firing in the third, as Briggs opened with a three-pointer and Washington followed with a pull-up jumper. The Sycamores continued to find their rhythm offensively, and a 7-0 run capped by an Allen jumper pushed the lead to 59-45. EIU managed to stay within striking distance, but Indiana State maintained control heading into the fourth with a 62-53 lead.
The Sycamores put the game out of reach early in the final frame. Flowers and Prackett hit back-to-back jumpers to start the quarter, and a 10-0 run moments later, highlighted by Kelsey's inside finishing, stretched the lead to 76-59. From there, Indiana State kept its foot on the gas, dominating the boards and converting at the free throw line to seal the 90-69 victory.
News and Notes
- Tuesday's game marked the first time Indiana State hit the 90-point mark since a 90-74 win over Evansville on Jan. 12, 2025. It also marked the first time with a 25-point quarter since Feb. 27, 2025 at Drake, as the Sycamores had 28 points in the fourth quarter Tuesday.
- Tuesday's game was the first for the Sycamores with 40-plus bench points since Nov. 9, 2021 vs. Stephens College. The Sycamores tallied a whopping 59 bench points Tuesday, with three players coming off the bench to score in double figures.
- Tuesday's game was the first for Indiana State with 20-plus fastbreak points and 20-plus points off turnovers since March 1, 2025 at Evansville.
- Indiana State recorded six blocks Tuesday, marking the second straight game with five or more blocks to start the season.
- Tierney Kelsey (22) and Jayci Allen (21) both scored in double-figures off the bench for the second straight game, while the Sycamore duo became the first players with 20-plus points off the bench for the Blue and White since Dec. 21, 2024 at Purdue.
- Tuesday's game was the first with multiple Sycamores hitting the 20-point mark since Feb. 27, 2025 at Drake, while it also marked the first time Indiana State had multiple players with 10-plus rebounds since Jan. 16, 2025 against Southern Illinois
- Amerie Flowers recorded double-digit rebounds for the second straight game, pulling down 10 boards Tuesday night. Flowers is averaging 12.5 rebounds per game for the season.
- Clemisha Prackett registered her first double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The 14 points and 10 rebounds were both season highs, while she also added two blocks.
- Kayla Smith: Season-high 6 points; career-high 6 rebounds (second 5+ rebound game this season).
- Tierney Kelsey set career highs in points (22), field goals made (7) and free throws (8), while tying her career high of five rebounds. Kelsey also drew a game-high 10 fouls without committing one.
- Kennedy Claybrooks dished out a career-high eight assists, while adding season highs of four rebounds and two steals.
- Jayci Allen notched a Division I career-high 21 points, while recording her second straight game in double figures.
Up Next
Indiana State hits the road to take on Western Kentucky Friday night. Tipoff in the opener of the Sycamores' three-game road trip is set for 7:30 p.m.
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