The Indiana State women's
basketball team continues their three-game road swing this weekend, beginning
with a trip to Springfield, Mo., for a matchup with the Missouri State Bears on
Friday, Feb. 1. Tipoff between the Sycamores and Bears is set for 8:05 p.m.
(ET), 7:05 p.m. locally in Missouri.
The game can be heard live on WIBQ 98.5 FM and on the Nelligan Sports Marketing
Radio Network as Brent Holl covers all the action on the court. Fans can also
watch the game live on ESPN3.com and on the WATCHESPN mobile app.
Indiana State enters the game at 11-7 on the season and at 3-4 in league play
after suffering their second-straight one-point loss, falling 66-65 at Illinois
State last Friday. The Sycamores rallied from an eight-point deficit at the
half and from 11 points down in the second half to have a game-winning attempt
at the buzzer, but junior Anna Munn's jump shot rimmed out as time expired.
Freshman Marina Laramie made her first career start against the Redbirds last
week, totaling career highs with 17 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Racheal
Mahan posted her seventh double-double of the season with 13 points and 10
rebounds.
A Little History - Missouri State
Friday's game will be the 64th all-time meeting between Indiana State and
Missouri State, with the Bears leading the series by a 49-14 margin. ISU and
MSU first met during the 1982-83 season, with the Sycamores coming out on top,
83-66. Missouri State holds a strong 27-4 edge in games played in Springfield,
with Indiana State's last win on the road coming on Jan. 27, 2008 (78-55). The
Bears have won have nine straight games overall in the series, dating back to
the 2008-09 season.
Scouting The Bears
Missouri State enters Friday's game at 10-9 on the season, sitting in
seventh place in the MVC standings with a 2-5 record within the league. The
Bears are 5-2 at home this season, including an even 1-1 record within the MVC.
MSU did not lose consecutive games during the nonconference season, going 8-4
outside the MVC, but their defense has allowed at least 72 points in all seven
of their league games to drop five of their seven contests. Senior Whitney Edie
leads the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 14.8 points and 8.3
rebounds per game this season. Redshirt freshman Kenzie Williams (10.7 PPG) and
senior Christiana Shorter (10.2 PPG) also average in double figures for the
Bears. As a team, MSU ranks second in the MVC and 42nd in the NCAA by averaging
69.9 points per game.
Game-by-Game - Missouri State
Below is a quick look at the last 10 games between Indiana State and
Missouri State.
Feb. 24, 2012 at Indiana State - L, 58-68 Feb.
12, 2010 at Indiana State - L, 58-69
Jan. 27, 2012 at Missouri State - L, 70-84 Jan.
16, 2010 at Missouri State - L, 65-69
March 12, 2011 at St. Charles, Mo. - L, 79-84 Feb.
14, 2009 at Indiana State - L, 40-53
Feb. 10, 2011 at Indiana State - L, 50-63 Jan.
17, 2009 at Missouri State - L, 53-77
Jan. 16, 2011 at Missouri State - L, 54-65 Feb.
21, 2008 at Indiana State - W, 86-77 (OT)
Last 10 On The Road
Below is a quick look at the last 10 neutral site and road games for
Indiana State.
Jan. 25, 2013 at Illinois State - L, 65-66 Nov.
29, 2012 at Saint Louis - W, 48-46
Jan. 13, 2013 at Creighton - L, 50-69 Nov.
20, 2012 at IUPUI - L, 67-71
Jan. 11, 2013 at Drake - W, 67-49 Nov.
16, 2012 at Indiana - L, 48-60
Dec. 22, 2012 at Butler - L, 45-56 March
9, 2012 vs. Wichita State - L, 49-70
Dec. 16, 2012 at UT Martin - W, 73-71 (OT) March
3, 2012 at Evansville - W, 58-47
On The Road Under Head Coach Moren
ISU is 13-29 on the road in their three seasons under head coach Teri
Moren. In MVC play, the Sycamores are 6-15 in league road games since the start
of the 2010-11 season. This season, the Sycamores are 3-5 away from Hulman
Center.
All About Defense
Indiana State ranks second in the MVC and enters the week ranking 28th in
the NCAA in points allowed per game this season, as ISU's opponents have
averaged 52.8 points per game. The Sycamores allowed 64.5 points per game in
head coach Teri Moren's first season (2010-11) and 63.4 points per game last
season.
Under 61
Indiana State is 34-6 (.850) when holding their opposition under 61 points
in their three seasons with head coach Teri Moren, including a 10-4 mark this
season. During MVC games, ISU is 15-3 under head coach Moren when teams score
60 points or fewer. When teams go over 61 points against ISU in the last three
seasons, the Sycamores are 8-33.
Winning On The Glass
The Sycamores are 9-1 this season when out-rebounding their opponents
compared to 2-6 when rebounds are equal or the opposition has more. For the
season, Indiana State has posted a 37.6-33.7 (+3.9) average edge on the glass,
ranking third in MVC behind Illinois State (+4.9) and Missouri State (+4.7).
Close Losses In MVC Play
Of Indiana State's four losses in conference play this season, three have
come on the final possession of the game. In ISU's 54-52 loss to Northern Iowa,
UNI's Jen Keitel grabbed an offensive rebound and banked in a hook shot with
1.6 seconds remaining to give the Panthers the road victory. Indiana State had
possession of the basketball in the closing seconds of both their losses to
Evansville (55-54) and Illinois State (66-65), but could not find a go-ahead
shot in either contest.
Down To The Wire
In Indiana State's three seasons under head coach Teri Moren, the Sycamores
are 7-10 in games decided by five points or less, including a 3-4 mark this
season. ISU's close wins this season are on the road over Saint Louis (48-46)
and UT Martin (73-71) and at home over Bradley (55-54).
Closing In On 1,000 Points
Senior Taylor Whitley enters Friday's game with 955 career points, needing
45 more points in her senior season to become the 26th member of the 1,000
Point Club at Indiana State. The Geneva, Ill., product already ranks seventh in
career assists and ninth in career steals at ISU.
Sophomore Jump
After averaging 3.8 points and 2.9 rebounds per game as a freshman, Racheal
Mahan has tripled her production in her second season at Indiana State. Mahan
is second on the team by averaging 13.3 points per game, while leading the way
at 8.2 rebounds per game. The sophomore from Mansfield, Ohio, has posted seven
double-doubles this season, tying with Missouri State's Whitney Edie for the
most in the conference.
Half-by-Half
The Sycamores have outscored their opponents by a margin of 521-426 (+95)
in the opening 20 minutes of their 18 games this season, while holding a slim
14-point edge (538-524) in the second half and overtime. This season, Indiana
State has led at the half in 13 of their 18 games and is 10-3 when leading at
the break.
Second-Chance Points
Indiana State is averaging 13.4 offensive rebounds per game, leading to a
184-114 (+70) edge in second-chance points this season. The Sycamores have
scored more or the same number of second-chance points as their opponents in 13
of their 18 games this season.
Field Goal Percentage Defense
Indiana State ranks second in the MVC in field goal percentage defense,
allowing their opponents to shoot 337-for-895 (37.7%) from the field this
season. The Sycamores have held an opponent under 40% shooting in nine games
this season, going 7-2 in those contests.
Offensive Rebounds
ISU pulled down a season-high 23 offensive rebounds in their 72-57 victory
over Southern Illinois, leading to 20 second-chance points. ISU's 23 offensive
rebounds were their most since grabbing 24 offensive rebounds in a 68-48 win
over Illinois State on March 5, 2005.
Two For 20
Sophomore Racheal Mahan (23 points) and senior Taylor Whitley (20 points)
each scored over 20 points for Indiana State in the team's 67-49 road victory
at Drake, the first time that a pair of Sycamores have posted 20-point games in
a span of 46 contests. The last time two Sycamores scored 20 points in a game
was when Whitley (21) and Deja Mattox (22) accomplished the feat in ISU's 80-51
victory over Illinois State on March 11, 2011 in the 2011 MVC Tournament.
Munn Ranks Third In The Valley In
Scoring
Junior Anna Munn leads the team and ranks third in the MVC in scoring,
averaging 14.9 points per game this season. The ISU junior scored a career high
25 points at UT Martin on Dec. 16, leading the Sycamores to a 73-71 overtime
victory. Munn has posted double-figure efforts in 15 of her 17 games this
season.
Laramie Makes First Career Start At
Illinois State
Freshman Marina Laramie made her first career start last Friday at Illinois
State, posting career highs with 17 points and nine rebounds. The newcomer from
O'Fallon, Mo., ranks fourth on the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging
6.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
Assists And Steals
Senior Taylor Whitley ranks seventh in career assists and ninth in career
steals at Indiana State, moving into the Top 10 in both categories this season.
For her career, Whitley has posted 332 assists and needs 48 more assists to
pass Amy Walker (379 -- 1991-95) for sixth place. The Geneva, Ill., product,
has 208 steals in her career, needing three more to pass Judy Ellner (210 --
1978-82) for eighth place. Whitley joins Melanie Boeglin (2002-06), Hazel Olden
(1990-94) and Shavonda Averette (1987-91) as one of just four Sycamores to rank
in the Top 10 in school history in both categories.
Among The Best
Junior Anna Munn leads in the MVC by averaging 2.8 three-pointers per game,
entering the week ranking 25th on a national scale. The ISU junior has knocked
down 48 treys this season and has made at least four in seven separate
contests.
Whitley Leads The MVC In Steals
Senior Taylor Whitley leads the MVC with 47 steals in 18 games, averaging
2.6 steals per game. On a national scale, Whitley ranks in a tie for 80th in
the NCAA. The ISU senior is looking to be the first Sycamore to lead the
conference in steals since Melanie Boeglin in 2005-06.
Five Years Coming
With Indiana State's 67-49 victory at Drake, the Sycamores snapped a
five-season streak of being swept on the road swing to Drake and Creighton. The
road victory over the Bulldogs was just their fourth in program history and
first since 2006-07.
Extending The Streaks
With their wins over Bradley (55-54) and Southern Illinois (72-57) earlier
this season, ISU extended lengthy home-court winning streaks over both the
Braves and Salukis. ISU holds a 16-game streak over BU, with the Braves' last
win in Terre Haute coming on Jan. 26, 1997, while the Sycamores hold a 13-game
streak over the Salukis since SIU's win on Dec. 29, 1999.
Recent Overtime Success
With their 73-71 overtime victory on the road at UT Martin, ISU improved to
2-0 past regulation under third-year head coach Teri Moren. Dating back to the
2004-05 season, the Sycamores are 8-2 in overtime contests, including a 77-72
home win over #17 Vanderbilt on Nov. 12, 2007. Dating back to the 1971-72
season, Indiana State is 21-23 in overtime games.
Sharp Shooter
Junior Anna Munn has knocked down 141 three-pointers in her time at Indiana
State, an amount that places the junior guard in eighth place in ISU's career
rankings. The Indianapolis native made two treys against Northern Iowa on Jan.
6, passing Krissy Holden (129 -- 1993-97) and Deja Mattox (129 -- 2008-12) in
the career rankings. Next up for Munn is April Kirby (166 -- 1998-2002) in
seventh place in ISU history.
A Little Bit Of Everything
Freshman Kasey Johnson has done whatever the team has needed her to do this
season, averaging 4.3 points, 2.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game
in her rookie campaign. The Plainfield, Ind., product also ranks second with
seven blocked shots and 15 three-pointers.
On To The Next One...
Indiana State closes out their three-game road swing on Sunday, Feb. 3,
matching up with league-leading Wichita State inside Charles Koch Arena. Tipoff between the Sycamores and Shockers is
set for 3:05 p.m. (ET), 2:05 p.m. locally in Kansas. The Sycamores return to
Hulman Center next weekend, hosting Creighton on Friday, Feb. 8, and Drake on
Sunday, Feb. 10. Sunday's matchup with the Bulldogs is ISU's Pink Game for
breast cancer awareness.
