December 6, 2006
Women’s Basketball
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SYCAMORES SURVIVE THE PENGUINS CHILL, 69-56

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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State overcame an out of sync night to post a 69-56 win over the Youngstown State Penguins on Wednesday night at Hulman Center.  The victory improves the Sycamores to 5-2 on the season, while YSU falls to 1-6.

Indiana State appeared to be rolling at the start of the game, building a lead of five (8-3) in the first three minutes of the game.  However, the Sycamore shooters would turn cold and ISU would shot just 32% from the field and a bleak 1-of-14 from behind the arc.

The Penguins would stay in the game in the first half by converting 6-of-9 field goals from behind the 3-point line as Monique Godfrey hit 4-of-6 from outside.  The Sycamores would only lead by two going into the break 28-26.

Youngstown State cut the Sycamore advantage down to just five at 56-51 with 6:02 left to play on a pair of free throws by Anjalla Lyons.

ISU went on a short 4-0 spurt with a 3-pointer by Kelsey Luna and a free throw by Maria Olsthoorn.

The Sycamores hit their foul shots down the stretch to win the game going away, 69-56.

The Sycamores out-rebounded the Penguins by a 44-36 margin, the third game in a row in which ISU has gotten more boards than the opposition.

“We found a way to win ugly, head coach Jim Wiedie said. “Look at last couple minutes of the game. I thought our defense was pretty good. We were active in our coverages. That makes three games in a row we have out-rebounded an opponent. And we didn’t foul as much as we did. There were some positive things.”

Laura Rudolphi posted a career-best 20 points to go with 10 rebounds in the game to record her second double-double of the season. Luna joined Rudolphi in double figures with 12 points on the strength of four 3-pointers.

“That is a good Sycamore team,” Youngstown State head coach Tisha Hill said. “They do a great job of shooting the ball and taking care of what they need to. We knew they were going to go at us that way with the press. Indiana State tried to force us into some errors but we emphasized in practice taking care of ball.”

Indiana State returns to play on Saturday, December 9 when they travel to Wisconsin-Green Bay for a date with the Phoenix. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. (ET).

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