TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State picked up its fourth win of the season Wednesday night, using a high-scoring first quarter to outlast Northern Illinois 69-61 inside Hulman Center.
 
Tierney Kelsey led the Sycamores with 22 points, with Amerie Flowers posting 15 points and 10 rebounds to secure her second double-double of the season. Kennedy Claybrooks contributed 11 points and four assists, while Samiyah Briggs paced the defensive effort with a game-high four steals. 
 
Indiana State controlled the pace early, using a 16-0 first-quarter run to build a double-digit lead behind strong starts from Briggs and Kelsey. NIU battled back in the second and third periods, trimming the margin to single digits, but the Sycamores responded each time with steady scoring from Kelsey, key defensive stops, and timely baskets from Flowers. After the Huskies briefly took the lead in the fourth, Indiana State closed with clutch shots from Flowers and Claybrooks and sealed the game at the free-throw line, securing a hard-fought home win.
 
First Half
Indiana State put the first points on the board, but NIU answered with two straight layups to take a 4-2 lead. The Sycamores responded with a dominant 16-0 run over a four-minute span, sparked by four quick points from Briggs. Five different Sycamores scored during the stretch, with Kelsey leading the way with six, pushing the score to 18-4 with 3:46 remaining. NIU countered with a 6-2 run over the next two-plus minutes, but Indiana State closed the period strong with a free throw from Flowers, a three-point play by Kelsey and a layup from Briggs to end the opening quarter ahead 26-10.
 
Early second quarter baskets from Flowers and Da'Naria Washington kept things rolling for the Blue and White. NIU slowed Indiana State's momentum in the second quarter. The Sycamores made just two baskets in the last six minutes of the period as the  visitors cut Indiana State's lead down to seven late in the frame, before Kelsey hit a layup and Briggs converted on a pair of free throws to send the Sycamores to the half ahead 40-31.
 
Second Half 
Indiana State started the third period with two free throws from Kelsey, and Kayla Smith knocked down a three to extend the Sycamores' lead after a slow start to the frame. After a slow middle portion to the quarter, Northern Illinois showed signs of life with an 8-2 run to claw closer. Kelsey gave the Trees late momentum in the period, closing the quarter by scoring four points in the final six seconds to send Indiana State into the fourth with a 53-45 lead.
 
NIU opened the final period with a 9-0 run as Indiana State went cold, allowing the Huskies to retake the lead near the midway point of the quarter. Flowers answered for Indiana State, scoring six straight points to reclaim a 59-55 lead with just over three minutes remaining. Claybrooks followed with a crucial trey from the wing to stretch the lead to five with just over two minutes left. The visitors' cold-shooting night came back to haunt them late, as Indiana State allowed just one basket over the final five-plus minutes and iced the game from the charity stripe. Five free throws in the last 45 seconds sealed Indiana State's second straight home win, as the Trees closed out a 69-61 victory.
 
News and Notes

• Indiana State matched its entire 2024-25 win total with Wednesday's win. The Sycamores' three home non-conference wins are the program's most since the 2022-23 season.
• Indiana State improved to 4-1 this season when holding opponents below 70 points and 4-1 when holding opponents below 40 percent shooting. The Sycamores also moved to 3-0 inside Hulman Center this season.
• 3-point defense continues to be a key for the Trees, as Northern Illinois went just 2-for-15 from behind the arc.
• Indiana State's 26-point first quarter marked the third straight game that the Sycamores notched a 25-point quarter. The Trees had 28 in the fourth at SIU Edwardsville and notched a 32-point first quarter and a 30-point third quarter against Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
• The Sycamores tied their season high of 13 second-chance points in Wednesday's game 
• Tierney Kelsey's 22 points matched her season high, which she has now hit on three occasions in the 2025-26 season. Kelsey has already surpassed her entire scoring total from her 2024-25 season at Jackson State.
  • Kelsey's 22 points included eight from the charity stripe, matching her career high.
• Amerie Flowers recorded her second double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds, marking the second straight game with a Sycamore double-double, as Clemisha Prackett had 11 points and 11 rebounds against SMWC.
  • Flowers also recorded 10+ rebounds, marking the second straight game with a Sycamore recorded 10+ rebounds
• Flowers recorded the best night of her young Sycamore career, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the field while setting season-best marks in free throws (5-for-8) on her way to a season-high 15 points. She also added one block and one steal on the defensive end.
• Samiyah Briggs matched her career high in steals with four and scored all nine of her points in the first half.
• Indiana State won its second straight game wearing its baby blue uniforms after going winless (0-5) in that uniform combination in 2024-25.

 
Postgame Press Conference Presented by Team Green Law: Marc Mitchell, Tierney Kelsey, Ameire Flowers


Up Next
Indiana State heads to the Circle City Dec. 11 to face Butler in a 7 p.m. tip at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
 
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