The Indiana State women's basketball team returns home to face Evansville this Thursday, Jan. 21, with a 7:05 p.m. (ET) tipoff at Hulman Center (10,200). ISU seeks its first conference win of the year against the Purple Aces.
Live stats, audio and video are available at GoSycamores.com, while the game can also be heard live on 92.7 The Crock with Brent Holl and Vaso Michels calling the action.
ISU has opened the 2009-10 season with a 9-7 (0-5 MVC) record, sparked by a 77-73 road victory at Kansas State on Nov. 14. The Sycamores then posted wins at Furman (62-47) and USC Upstate (80-72) on Nov. 19 and 21, respectively.
They made their home debut with a trio of wins over SEMO (72-27), Central Michigan (76-57) and Detroit Mercy (70-53). Indiana State earned a road win, 65-49, over SIU Edwardsville on Dec. 5, and suffered its only loss of the year against Butler, 67-60. ISU took a close win at Eastern Illinois, 65-63, followed by a 1-1 showing at the Bahamas Sunsplash Shootout, Dec. 19-20, in Nassau, Bahamas. The Sycamores first earned a 69-65 win over UMKC, then dropped a 69-54 contest to SMU the following night.
Indiana State has faced an uphill MVC battle in its first five league games, beginning with a 55-44 loss to preseason favorite Creighton and an 87-73 defeat at the hands of Drake. ISU then dropped a contest to Illinois State, 69-53, on Jan. 8, followed by a pair of tough defeats to Wichita State (65-61) and Missouri State (69-65) last weekend.
Indiana State, which looks to halt a six-game losing skid, has not lost six straight games since the 1995-96 season.
Noting Thursday's Game
-Snapping a Streak: Both Indiana State and Evansville are 0-5 in MVC competition, and one squad is guaranteed to notch its first win on Thursday.
-Terrific TWs: The two teams each have a freshman player who has taken a starting role over the last three games -- ISU guard Taylor Whitley and UE forward Taylor Ware. Whitley has averaged 9.0 points and 5.7 rebounds as a starter, while Ware is at 8.0 points and 2.3 boards as one of her team's starting five.
Union Hospital, UAP Clinic Sponsor ISU-UE Matchup
Thursday's contest is sponsored by Union Hospital and UAP Clinic's Breast Cancer Awareness Night, and information booths for fans will be open on the concourse level of the arena. Union Hospital's Clara Fairbanks Center for Women is the top provider of complete digital mammography services in the Wabash Valley spread awareness that the best defense against breast cancer is early detection through a combination of periodic mammograms, annual clinical breast examinations and monthly breast self exam (BSE).
The American Cancer Society recommends women receive a mammogram yearly after age 40. Union Hospital's Clara Fairbanks Center for Women is the top provider of mammography services in the Wabash Valley and offers the most up-to-date technology to our patients with complete digital mammography. More information is available at UHHG.org or APSClinic.com.
Scouting the Competition: Evansville Purple Aces
Evansville is 3-13 entering Thursday's game at Indiana State, having last seen the court on Jan. 16 in a 67-53 loss to Drake.
In 2009-10, UE compiled a record of 15-19 (4-14 MVC) to finish ninth in the conference's regular season standings and was chosen eighth in this year's MVC preseason poll. The Purple Aces made an outstanding run in the 2009 MVC Tournament with four straight wins -- including victories over top-seeded Illinois State and No. 2 Creighton -- to capture the league crown and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Evansville faced Texas A&M in first-round action, falling to the Aggies, 80-45.
The Purple Aces opened the 2009-10 season with six straight losses, but rallied on two wins against Saint Louis (76-69) and at Lipscomb (74-69). They were also victorious against Ball State, 73-67, on Dec. 22 at home.
Amy Gallagher leads UE with 10.6 points per game, while Chelsea Falkenstein is the team's top rebounder with 5.3 boards per game.
Head coach Misty Murphy is in her second season at the helm of the program and has a record of 18-32 at Evansville.
Movin' On Up
Kelsey Luna hit 44 consecutive free throws from Nov. 14 to Dec. 12, bypassing the previous school record of 33 set by Kourtney Mennen in 2003. Luna's mark is second all-time in Missouri Valley Conference history, just behind Katie Miller of Northern Iowa, who had 53 in 2000.
Luna is currently on her second-longest free throw streak of the season with 19 made from Dec. 19 to Jan. 16. Through games of Jan. 17, she is ranked first nationally in Division I in free throw shooting percentage with a .955 clip.
In addition, Luna's 1,222 career points have moved her up to 14th all-time on the Sycamores' scoring charts. She is just ahead of Laura Rudolphi (1,208), who played from 2004-08. Luna's next target to pass on the list is 1,244 points from Hazel Olden (1990-94).
Luna Eclipses 1,000 Career Points Mark
At Kansas State on Nov. 14, Kelsey Luna reached the coveted 1,000 career points mark in the first game of her senior year by scoring a Valley-best 37 points. She is the 22nd Sycamore to accomplish the milestone.
In Thursday's game at Wichita State, Luna contributed five points for the Sycamores. Over the last three-plus seasons, she has totaled 1,222 career points.
Luna currently leads Indiana State in total points (238), points per game (14.9), free throws made (64-67), assists (48) and steals (37).
Luna's Points by Season
2006-07 (Fr.) 2007-08 (So.) 2008-09 (Jr.) 2009-10 (Sr.) Career Total
342 320 322 238 1,222
A Queen of the Block
Sophomore Shannon Thomas has been a key defensive cog for ISU over the last 16 contests, averaging 6.9 rebounds, 10.3 points and 1.9 blocks per game (30 total) in 446 minutes of work. She is ranked second in the Valley in blocked shots.
The Springboro, Ohio, native tallied her third double-double of the season and the fourth of her career against Missouri State last week. Thomas, who also achieved her first career double-double in Springfield as a freshman in 2009, finished with 16 points and a career-high 15 rebounds on Jan. 16, which is the most boards from any player in the Wiedie era. She also had four blocked shots against the Bears, pushing her to a total of 30 blocks through 16 games on the year, two shy of her freshman season sum of 32.
Thomas' Career Double-Doubles
Date Season Opponent Points Rebounds
1/17/09 2008-09 at Missouri State 11 11
11/21/09 2009-10 at USC Upstate 19 13
12/9/09 2009-10 Butler 10 10
1/16/10 2009-10 at Missouri State 16 15
Buher's Treys Lead the League
Chelsea Buher's 14-for-28 (.500) shooting from long range this season places her atop the MVC standings in 3-point shooting percentage. A transfer from Illinois, she finished with a stellar career-high 12 points against Central Michigan on Nov. 29, highlighted by a perfect 3-for-3 behind the arc. Buher also had a game-leading eight caroms and two assists in 20 minutes of work against the Chippewas.
Two nights later against Detroit, Buher hit 5-for-7 from downtown to total a career-high 15 points. She also had six boards and an assist in 23 minutes off the bench.
Balanced Scoring Attack
Though Kelsey Luna had an outstanding 37-point performance to lead the Sycamores in their season opener, ISU shared scoring duties among six different players. Kelsie Cooley (12) and Deja Mattox (11) both reached double digits, while Shannon Thomas chipped in seven points of her own. In addition, ISU had 10 off the bench; Chelsea Buher added four, and Taylor Whitley had six points off free throws alone.
Since then, all 13 active Sycamores have contributed offensively through 14 games, with Kelsey Luna (16.5) and Shannon Thomas (9.8) topping the charts. ISU has had at least three double-digit scorers in eight out of 14 games, including five at Eastern Illinois on Dec. 12: Whitley (14), Luna (12), Brittany Schoen (11), Thomas (10) and Moriah Hodge (10).
In conference action, Whitley (10.6 points per MVC game) has joined Thomas (9.2) and Luna (9.0) to share scoring duties, followed by junior Kelsie Cooley and Mattox (7.8).
Pounding the Paint
Indiana State has gone 9-7 this season, including a 7-0 start to open the year, due in part to the Sycamores' effort in the post. ISU has outscored its opponents 362-274 in the paint, making 35 percent of its shots inside.
In the Sycamores' Jan. 16 game at Missouri State, they made 55 percent (36-65) of their shots in the paint.
Schoen Shines Against Chippewas
Sophomore Brittany Schoen had an outstanding day for the Sycamores against Central Michigan, as she set or tied multiple career highs. Schoen paced ISU with a game-high and career-best 17 points on five 3-pointers, which matched her career best for treys set as a freshman. She also had five rebounds and her second career block, along with a career-high-tying four assists.
Luna Earns Second Straight MVC Player of the Week Award
Kelsey Luna was named MVC Player of the Week for the second straight week, the league office announced on Nov. 23. Luna's combined 50-point performance over two games at Furman and USC Upstate garnered her the weekly conference honor for the second time this season and third time in her career.
The senior was previously named player of the week on Nov. 15 after a career-best 37-point game at K-State.
Mattox, Thomas Solid in South Carolina
Sophomores Deja Mattox and Shannon Thomas both hit multiple career highs in ISU's two-game swing through South Carolina in their second week of the season. Mattox had a career-best 14 points, highlighted by a three-trey performance, against Furman. Thomas, meanwhile, was solid at USC Upstate with her second double-double as a Sycamore. The center had 19 points and 13 rebounds, as well as six blocks -- and all three categories were career highs.
Wiedie Tops ISU Record for Career Coaching Wins
Head coach Jim Wiedie, a two-time MVC Coach of the Year who is in his 10th season at ISU, became Indiana State's winningest women's basketball coach in school history with the Sycamores' win at Furman on Nov. 19. After last Saturday's game at Missouri State, the skipper boasts a record of 164-115 (.588) over the last nine-plus years, which is just ahead of Edith Godleski's career record of 157-116 (.575), amassed from 1971-82.
ISU All-Time Coaching Ranks
By Victories
Rank Coach Years Record (Percentage)
1 Jim Wiedie 2000-present 164-115 (.588)
2 Edith Godleski 1971-82 157-116 (.575)
3 Andi Myers 1982-1989 85-109 (.438)
4 Cheryl Reeve 1995-2000 66-77 (.462)
5 Kay Riek 1989-1995 66-96 (.407)
Welcome to the Show
Three Indiana State newcomers -- freshmen Moriah Hodge and Taylor Whitley and sophomore Chelsea Buher -- made their Sycamore debuts against Kansas State on Nov. 14. Hodge finished with six rebounds, a block and a steal, while Whitley totaled three steals and six points, all from the free throw line.
Over her first 13 games off the bench, Whitley averaged 7.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Since taking a starting role on Jan. 8, she has averaged 9.0 points and 5.7 boards over the last three games. Whitley also had a career performance against Drake with 22 points on 5-for-10 shooting from the field and a 10-for-13 effort at the free throw line.
With 16 appearances off the bench to her credit, Hodge has 4.2 points with 2.6 boards per contest. She and Whitley were among five Sycamores who reached double-figuring scoring at Eastern Illinois on Dec. 12. Whitley's 14 points led ISU in the 65-63 win, while Hodge had a career best of 10.
Buher, who sat out the 2008-09 season after transferring from the University of Illinois, hit a free throw and dished out an assist against KSU.
Freshman Krista Smith scored a season-best four points with two steals against Drake.
Sycamores' 7-0 Start Ranks Among Best in Program History
Before last Wednesday's 67-60 loss to Butler, Indiana State's 7-0 start through Dec. 8 ranks second all-time in program history, just behind a 10-0 mark from the 1973-74 Sycamores. The early undefeated record was ISU's best since 2007-08, when it was 3-0 to begin the year.
Best Season Starts in ISU History
Rank Season Record Coach
1 1973-74 10-0 Edith Godleski
2 2009-10 7-0 Jim Wiedie
3 1998-99 4-0 Cheryl Reeve
1976-77 4-0 Edith Godleski
1975-76 4-0 Edith Godleski
2007-08 3-0 Jim Wiedie
2002-03 3-0 Jim Wiedie
1990-91 3-0 Kay Riek
Sycamore Schedule Features Six Postseason Teams
ISU's schedule for the 2009-10 season will serve as a challenge for the Sycamores in preparation for postseason competition in March. The slate includes games with six postseason-qualifying teams from last season -- Kansas State (NCAA), Evansville (NCAA), Creighton (NIT), Illinois State (NIT), Butler (NIT) and SMU (NIT).
KSU played in first- and second-round NCAA action before falling to Vanderbilt, 74-61. Evansville's NCAA run ended with a first-round loss to Texas A&M, 80-45.
Luna Selected to Preseason All-MVC Team
Kelsey Luna was named to the Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference team, the league office announced in October. Luna was previously honored as first-team All-MVC in 2009 despite missing the eight of games of her junior season due to an ACL tear. She is joined on the preseason squad by Casey Garrison (Missouri State), Maggie Krick (Illinois State), Megan Neuvirth (Creighton) and Jordann Plummer (Drake).
ISU Picked Fifth in Preseason MVC Poll
Indiana State was selected to finish fifth in the MVC's 2009-10 preseason poll, the conference office announced prior to MVC Media Day in October. The Sycamores earned 250 points for fifth place, sitting behind preseason favorite Creighton (393), Illinois State (340), Drake (296) and Northern Iowa (253). Bradley (214) came in at sixth, followed by Missouri State (188), Evansville (108), Wichita State (97) and Southern Illinois (61). Preseason standings are chosen in a survey of league coaches, sports information directors and media members.
Luna Named Candidate for Lowe's Senior CLASS Award
Kelsey Luna is one of 60 men's and women's basketball student-athletes tabbed as candidates for the 2009-10 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, it was announced Nov. 4.
To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence - classroom, character, community and competition.
Luna is one of four players in the 2009-10 candidate class who are CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Americans, as she was a second-team honoree as a junior. She is also one of just three student-athletes on the list with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average during her collegiate academic career.
An acronym for "Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School," the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
The two lists of 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists each midway through the regular season. Those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot, which will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans. One finalist will be selected, best exemplifying excellence in the four Cs of classroom, character, community and competition.
ISU Has Young, Experienced Sophomores in 2009-10
Despite having a roster with just three seniors and one junior, Indiana State returns considerable experience for the 2009-10 season. After suffering a setback with four ACL injuries last year -- including all-conference pick Kelsey Luna -- the Sycamores were forced to utilize all of their underclassmen in considerable playing roles. Three then-freshmen -- Brittany Schoen, Shannon Thomas and Deja Mattox -- all averaged over 20 minutes per game in their inaugural season and have since resumed a starting role for ISU in 2009-10.
Thomas totaled 161 rebounds (5.4 per game) as a freshman and ranks behind only senior Kelsey Luna (255) and junior Kelsie Cooley (187) among active career leaders in that category. In addition, Thomas is the Sycamores' active career leader in blocks with 32.
Schoen, who averaged nearly 25 minutes per game last season, capped her first-year campaign with a season-best performance against Bradley at the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. She put up 16 points against the Braves and finished the year with 20 steals, good for third-most on the team.
Mattox had an outstanding first half of the season before tearing her ACL on Jan. 22 against Southern Illinois. Before the injury, she averaged almost 27 minutes per game, as well as 8.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest.
Five Freshmen Added to ISU Roster
Five freshmen are part of Indiana State's roster this season -- Moriah Hodge, Meaghan MacDougall, Andrea Rademacher, Krista Smith and Taylor Whitley.
Whitley was solid against Southern Indiana in exhibition, totaling nine points off the bench, which followed up her seven-point performance against Bellarmine. Hodge also tacked on seven points in the BU game, while also grabbing five rebounds and putting up a block.
Smith is a local product from Terre Haute South Vigo High School. She made the most of her seven minutes of playing time against Bellarmine, notching six points with a steal.
MacDougall and Rademacher are unlikely to see action early in the 2009-10 season due to injuries. Rademacher has a right foot injury that will keep her off the court at least three months, while MacDougall has a pre-existing leg condition and is awaiting surgery.
Wiedie Signs Four Student-Athletes for Class of 2010
Head coach Jim Wiedie announced on Nov. 11 that four student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent for the 2010-10 season: Nikki Gunning, Anna Munn, Sadie Oyer, and Illyssa Vivo.
"This is a very talented group of young women we've signed, and we're proud to have them join the Sycamore program," Wiedie said. "We've addressed every position, and with their talent, athleticism and versatility as a class, they're going to complement the group we already have very well. With that outstanding combination, I believe that in the next few years, we can field one of the best teams we've ever had at Indiana State."
2010 Signing Class
Player Pos. Ht. Hometown (High School)
Nikki Gunning G 5-8 Howell, Mich. (Howell)
14 ppg, 632 career points; Press & Argus Player of the Year; Class A district champion
Anna Munn F 5-10 Indianapolis, Ind. (Decatur Central)
16.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.6 apg; Two-time all-state; Ranked No. 2 prospect in Indiana (by ESPN HoopGurlz)
Sadie Oyer C 6-2 Huntsville, Ohio (Indian Lake)
10.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg; AP Division 2 state champion; Three-time all-conference
Illyssa Vivo G 5-9 Plantation, Fla. (American Heritage)
9 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.6 apg; Two-time all-county; First Wiedie recruit from Florida
2008-09 Squad Tops WBCA's National Team GPA List
Indiana State finished first in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's 2008-09 Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll released in July. With six student-athletes posting perfect 4.0 grade-point averages, the Sycamores tallied a team GPA of 3.645 last season to win the national team title for the third time in program history (2003, 2005). It also marked the eighth consecutive season that ISU has appeared in the top 25. Kelsey Luna led the academic charge by being named a second-team Academic All-American by CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine.
Up Next for the Sycamores...
Indiana State continues its two-game Valley homestand, playing host to Southern Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 23. Tipoff is set for 2:05 p.m. at Hulman Center.
