Redbirds Rise Above the Phoenix

Image courtesy of Illinois State athletics

NORMAL, Ill. — Illinois State women’s basketball continues to build momentum, soaring past Green Bay with a strong performance that showed the Redbirds’ determination on both ends of the court.

The Redbirds won 75-66 on Wednesday night at CEFCU Arena following a second-half comeback, improving to 4-0 on the campaign.

In the first quarter, the Redbirds shot over 60% from the field. The Redbirds used a 14-0 run to fuel an early lead, with Danyella Mporokoso and Grace Nelson both scoring five points.

In the second, the Redbirds lost their touch and allowed the Phoenix to take a two-point lead going into halftime.  Mporokoso started off the third quarter with the Redbird first five points. The Redbirds soon tied the score at 34-34 and the game began to go back and forth for the next six minutes. Mporokoso hit a buzzer-beater three to end the third quarter and give the Redbirds a 48-46 lead.

Trista Fayta and Nelson added two three-point plays in the fourth to take a 54-48 lead with just under nine minutes left in the game. Fayta then recorded a four point play with four minutes remaining to give the Redbirds a 63-55 lead.

Mporokoso reached the 20 point mark for the first time in her young career with a pair of free throws. The Redbirds closed out the game with three free throws from Fayta, winning 75-66.

This is the best start to a season for Illinois State  since the 2022-2023 season. The Redbirds also had their fourth straight game with at least four players in double digits in the scoring column.

Naveah Thomas recorded 17 points, 12 rebounds, marking her first double-double of the season. Nelson went 3-for-5 from beyond the arc and Mporokoso added 20 points and four rebounds.

The Redbirds’ next game is Saturday against the 2-1 Saint Louis Billikens at 1 p.m. at Cahifetz Arena.

For more updates on ISU atheltics, visit wznd.com.