MUScoop Wiki

March 26, 2009

NORMAL, Ill. - Kristi Cirone hit two free throws with nine seconds left to play to lift Illinois State over Marquette, 51-50, Thursday night at Redbird Arena. Illinois State (26-7) moves on to the WNIT Quarterfinals where it will meet Indiana at home on Sunday at 2:05 p.m.

In a closely contested game which featured 21 lead changes and 15 ties, sophomore guard Angel Robinson led Marquette with 15 points. Robinson made a jumper to go ahead 50-49 with 1:05 to play, but missed her last-second shot to win the game. The ball went halfway down, but rimmed out as the buzzer sounded.

Freshman Jessica Pachko followed with 12 points and seven rebounds, while the three remaining starters, Georgie Jones, Tatiyiana McMorris and Lauren Thomas-Johnson combined for 18 points.

Cirone led the Redbirds with a game-high 23 points and seven rebounds. Thirteen of her 23 points came from the free throw line.

Overall it was a poor shooting night for both teams. Marquette made 29.5 percent (18-61) of its shots, while ISU shot 26.8 percent (15-56). Although the Redbirds struggled from the floor, they were 20-of-23 from the charity stripe.

On the glass, Marquette held a slim 46-43 advantage. McMorris, Pachko and Jones each pulled down seven boards while every player in MU's lineup tallied at least one rebound.

The Golden Eagles finish the season 17-16 overall.