Illinois State Women’s Basketball Kicks Off 2026-2027 Season Against Chicago State

Image courtesy of Illinois State athletics

NORMAL, Ill. — Illinois State women’s basketball kicks off its 2026-27 season with a non-conference matchup with Chicago State tonight from CEFCU Arena Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

The Redbirds come into the season with a lot of familiar faces on the roster: Zanrya Adams, Madison Austin, Morgan Bruno, Trista Fayta, Grace Nelson, Jaeden Pratt and Nevaeh Thomas. Of the seven returning players, junior Trista Fayta and senior Nevaeh Thomas were named to the Missouri Valley Conference “Players to Watch” list.

Head coach Kristen Gillespie added four transfers and four freshmen. Indiana transfer Chloe Spreen and freshman Danyella Mporokoso, the 2025-26 Gatorade Illinois Girls Basketball Player of the Year, were also named to the list. 

In Illinois State’s lone exhibition game against SIUE, the Redbirds secured a dominant 93-59 win, Thomas recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds, Mporokoso recorded 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting, and Spreen recorded 14 points while shooting 2-for-2 from 3-point range. 

The Redbirds’ resume from last season helped land them at second in the annual Missouri Valley Conference women’s basketball preseason poll. The Redbirds advanced to the WNIT Championship game, earned a postseason bid for the sixth consecutive season, and finished with a 24-14 overall record and a 13-7 record in conference play.

Chicago State was picked to finish seventh in the Northeastern Conference preseason poll. The two teams have a history, with Illinois State leading the all-time series 6-0. The Redbirds most recent win came last season in a 101-52 win.

The Redbirds will have to be wary of junior guard Keona McGee, who earner second-team All-NEC honors last season. The Cougars will be looking to start their season off with an upset as they’re attempting to make it three straight seasons with an NEC tournament appearance.

Meanwhile, the Redbirds will be looking to set an expectation of what is to come this season starting tonight at 6:30 p.m.

For all things ISU women’s basketball, visit wznd.com.