McLean County Times

Illinois State University women's basketball team advanced to the WNIT Great 8 after defeating Abilene Christian 78-68 at the Shirk Center. The Redbirds enhanced their season record to 23-12, while Abilene Christian concluded with a 22-13 record.

The game featured a notable performance by Shannon Dowell, who scored 28 points, marking her fifth consecutive outing with over 20 points. She was supported by teammates Elyce Knudsen, Addison Martin, and Maya Wong, all of whom scored in double digits. The teams were neck and neck in the first half, ending it tied at 33. Illinois State surged ahead in the third quarter, with Dowell and Knudsen leading a 17-5 run that defined the game.

The victory places Illinois State in the next round, where they will face Louisiana Tech. The upcoming game is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at CEFCU Arena.

"Dowell climbed to 604 points for the 2024-25 campaign, which ranks fourth on Illinois State's single season scoring list." Her performance has placed her among the top scorers in the program's history alongside Kristi Cirone, Cathy Boswell, and Char Govan.

Knudsen also achieved a personal milestone, reaching her 85th three-pointer of the season, the third highest in the program's history. The Redbirds displayed strong shooting, finishing with a field goal percentage of 52.9% and a three-point percentage of 55.6%.

The attendance at the Shirk Center was notable, with fans enthusiastically supporting the Redbirds, helping them secure this pivotal victory. Tickets for the next stage will be available for purchase starting at 9 a.m. Friday on goredbirds.com.

The win was well-supported by consistent performances from several players, allowing the Redbirds to maintain the momentum needed to progress further in the tournament.