McLean County Times

Illinois State University will host its annual Education Day game on Wednesday, inviting more than 5,000 local students, teachers, and chaperones to CEFCU Arena. The Redbirds (1-1) are set to face Chicago State (1-2) in a non-conference matchup scheduled for 11 a.m.

This meeting marks the sixth time Illinois State and Chicago State have played each other, with Illinois State leading the series 5-0. The teams are facing off for the third consecutive season. In their previous three home games against Chicago State at CEFCU Arena, the Redbirds have won by an average margin of 29 points.

Illinois State opened its 2025-26 season with an 87-76 win over Dayton, shooting 51 percent from the field and featuring four players scoring in double figures. The team also recently defeated Illinois Wesleyan in exhibition play, where transfer Bella Finnegan led with 20 points and both Trista Fata and Nevaeh Thomas recorded double-doubles.

Last season, Illinois State advanced to the WNIT Semifinal for the fourth time in program history and finished with a record of 24-13 overall and 14-6 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Redbirds achieved their third consecutive 20-win season and return seven players from last year’s squad that reached the WNIT Fab 4.

Chicago State was picked to finish third in the Northeast Conference preseason poll after ending last season with a 7-26 record. Sophomore guard Aiyanna Culver leads the Cougars and was named this week’s NEC Co-Player of the Week after averaging over 22 points per game through three contests.

In their most recent outing, Illinois State lost to Illinois at the State Farm Center despite a late rally. Nevaeh Thomas led all Redbird scorers with 20 points. Addison Martin contributed 12 points while Bella Finnegan added 10 points and seven rebounds.

Sophomore Doneelah Washington made her first two career three-pointers against Dayton, finishing that game with over 20 points on perfect shooting from the field. Trista Fayta recorded her first career double-double as a starter with 19 points and ten assists.

Illinois State was ranked No.12 in CollegeInsiders.com’s preseason women’s basketball Mid-Major Top 25 poll. Over recent seasons, they have consistently featured balanced scoring efforts, often having four or more players reach double figures in games.

Since the start of the 2020-21 season, Illinois State has been statistically among the most successful Division I women’s basketball programs in Illinois, leading all such teams in total wins and winning percentage during that period. Against other teams from within Illinois since the start of the 2019-20 campaign, they hold a record of 43-11.

Key returning players include Doneelah Washington—an MVC All-Freshman team selection—and Addison Martin—an All-MVC Newcomer team member—as well as Nevaeh Thomas who averaged over twelve points per game last season.

Under head coach Kristen Gillespie, Illinois State has earned five straight postseason bids since 2020-21—including an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2022—marking just their second such streak of five or more consecutive postseason appearances since joining NCAA competition.