McLean County Times

Illinois State University's women's basketball team is set to face UAB at CEFCU Arena in their final non-conference game of the 2024-25 season. The match, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., will be broadcast on ESPN+. This game marks Illinois State's return to their home court after more than two weeks.

During halftime, fans are invited to participate in a teddy bear toss. Donated items will be given to local Goodwill organizations as part of holiday charitable efforts.

This encounter between Illinois State and UAB is only the second in history and the first on American soil. Their previous meeting was at the Caribbean Classic in Cancun, Mexico, where Illinois State secured a 63-55 overtime victory against UAB. Key players from that game included Emily Hanley with 12 points and seven rebounds, Shala Jackson scoring a game-high 15 points, and Kenyatta Shelton who achieved a game-high of 16 rebounds.

Doneelah Washington has been recognized as MVC Freshman of the Week for her performance during Illinois State's road win over Chicago State. She scored a season-high 14 points and collected four rebounds within just 13 minutes of play. Her contributions were significant as she scored most of her points in the first quarter, shooting an impressive 62.5% from the field.

Washington previously received this honor on December 2nd following her strong performances at the Gulf Coast Showcase, where she averaged notable scores and rebounding figures across three games.

Illinois State has demonstrated strong performances at home over recent seasons, maintaining a record of 27-6 at CEFCU Arena over two years. They won their home opener against Le Moyne with a score of 71-55 and posted one of their best single-season records last year with a mark of 14-2.

The team's shooting efficiency has been noteworthy this season, ranking them high nationally and within their conference. Nevaeh Thomas stands out individually with her shooting percentage placing her among top national performers.

For more information about tickets or Redbird merchandise, fans can visit GoRedbirds.com or use the Illinois State Redbirds App.