McLean County Times

Illinois State women's basketball team secured a decisive victory over Evansville with a score of 73-53 at Meeks Family Fieldhouse. The Redbirds, now holding a record of 16-9 overall and 10-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), were led by standout performances from Elyce Knudsen and Shannon Dowell. Together, they contributed 36 points, with Knudsen scoring 24 points in the first half alone.

Maya Wong came close to achieving a triple-double, ending the game with 12 points, a career-high of nine assists, and eight rebounds. Nevaeh Thomas added her ninth double-double of the season with ten points and eleven rebounds.

The game saw Illinois State take control after a tight first quarter. A significant run in the third quarter allowed them to extend their lead comfortably. At one point, Wong's three-pointer increased their advantage to double digits for the first time in the second half.

The victory marked Illinois State's 16th consecutive win against Evansville, extending their longest-active winning streak against any current MVC opponent. They also improved their all-time record against Evansville to 46-19.

The Redbirds' shooting accuracy was notable as they hit 50% from the floor for the ninth time this season. Their rebounding strength was evident as well, with a total of 45 rebounds compared to Evansville's 31.

Thomas's performance brought her within reach of joining an elite group of players in program history who have achieved ten double-doubles in a single season. Her current tally is already the highest since Ashleen Bracey and Nicolle Lewis achieved similar feats during the 2009-10 season.

Overall, Illinois State has consistently performed well when multiple players score in double figures, maintaining an impressive record since last season.

For more information on Illinois State athletics, fans can visit GoRedbirds.com or use the Illinois State Redbirds App for tickets and other resources.