Illinois St. defeated Saint Louis 72-55 in a women’s basketball matchup on Saturday improving to 5-0 on the season. Nevaeh Thomas led all scorers with 19 points, while Tyonna Bailey paced Saint Louis with 18 points at the final buzzer.
The visiting Saint Louis squad dropped to 2-2 on the young campaign following a tough road test against an undefeated Illinois St. side. Illinois St. controlled the tempo as the game progressed, shooting 37.1 percent from the field overall and locking down defensively with 10 steals.
How did Illinois St. secure the victory?
The team capitalized on second-chance opportunities, pulling down 21 offensive boards as part of a 50-rebound team performance.
Thomas anchored the offensive effort for the hosts, shooting 7-for-12 from the field and adding 8 rebounds in 23 minutes of action. Madison Austin and Chloe Spreen scored 10 points each off the bench, adding depth as Illinois St. outscored Saint Louis through four quarters.
What drove the Saint Louis performance?
Saint Louis fought to stay within striking distance behind Bailey, who logged 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal over 33 minutes of play. D’Myjah Bolds added 9 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while blocking 4 shots to anchor the defensive interior for the visitors.
Despite shooting 31.7 percent from the floor as a team, Saint Louis struggled to contain Illinois St. in the paint and committed 19 turnovers. The visitors shot 91.7 percent from the free-throw line, hitting 11 of 12 attempts, but could not overcome a decisive fourth-quarter surge by the home side.
What are the team statistics from the matchup?
| Statistic | Illinois St. | Saint Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 72 | 55 |
| Field Goals | 23-62 (37.1%) | 20-63 (31.7%) |
| 3-Pointers | 8-23 (34.8%) | 4-19 (21.1%) |
| Free Throws | 18-25 (72.0%) | 11-12 (91.7%) |
| Total Rebounds | 50 | 36 |
| Turnovers | 22 | 19 |
The victory moves Illinois St. to a 5-0 record overall with a 0-0 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play. Saint Louis stands at 2-2 overall and 0-0 in the Atlantic 10 as both programs continue their non-conference schedules.
