The Basics — Indiana State hosts Northern Iowa in a key Missouri Valley Conference contest at Hulman Center Friday evening. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m. (ET). UNI holds a slim one-half game lead in the Valley standings over the Sycamores and the winner of this contest will hold the upper hand as four teams jockey for the MVC’s third seed or higher. The Panthers downed ISU, 69-66 in Cedar Falls last month.

Series Notes — Series Notes — Indiana State holds a convincing 32-17 advantage in the all-time series against the Panthers. In Terre Haute, the Sycamores are 17-6. ISU had won four consecutive games against UNI before falling 69-66 earlier this season in Cedar Falls, Iowa. ISU has not lost to the Panthers in Hulman Center since 2000, a span of five straight Sycamore victories at home over UNI.

On The Air — The game will be broadcast live on WISU-FM (89.7) in the Wabash Valley, with Joe Foxworthy handling play-by-play duties and Josh Lighty providing analysis. For fans outside of the Terre Haute area, the game can be accessed via the internet at http://wisu.indstate.edu. The game will also be televised live via the MVC TV internet network on www.mvc-sports.com.

How To Access The Web Broadcasts — Go to http://wisu.indstate.edu, then click on the “Listen Live” link at the top of the page for the audio broadcast. For the video stream, go to Indiana State’s athletics website at www.indstate.edu/athletics and click on the watch live link. It will direct you to the MVC TV website where fans may watch the webstream on a pay-per-view basis.

About The Indiana State Coach — Indiana State head coach Jim Wiedie is in his seventh year at the helm of the Sycamore women’s basketball program. The 2003 and 2006 Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year, Wiedie led the Sycamores to the conference’s outright regular season championship one year ago and has guided ISU into the postseason in three of the last four years. He is 123-76 at Indiana State, and is 9-5 against Northern Iowa. In regular season Missouri Valley Conference games, Wiedie is 74-48. In home games against UNI, Wiedie is 5-1.

About The Northern Iowa Coach — Northern Iowa is led by 12th-year head coach Tony DiCecco who is 181-159 at the Cedar Falls, Iowa school. DiCecco holds a 12-13 all-time record against the Sycamores, including a mark of 5-6 against ISU at Hulman Center.

Sycamores In A Nutshell — Indiana State is 15-10 on the season, including a mark of 8-6 in the Missouri Valley Conference, having dropped their season opener at Iowa by a score of 88-83. ISU led by four points with just over four minutes remaining at Carver Hawkeye Arena on Nov. 15 before falling. ISU then traveled to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, for its first-ever meeting with a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and won going away, 116-73. ISU set or tied five single-game records in the victory. For the first time in school history, the team put together back-to-back 100-point efforts with a thrilling 102-86 victory over Eastern Illinois (Nov. 21). Freshman Kelsey Luna enjoyed a perfect 6-for-6 night from 3-point range as she posted 27 points in the victory. ISU was hurt by a poor shooting performance in falling by a score of 85-66 at No. 16 Michigan State. The Sycamores rebounded to defeat Loyola (Ill.) (Nov. 28) by a score of 101-71. ISU topped the century mark for a school-record third time with its effort versus the Ramblers. ISU came from down as many as seven points against Valparaiso, to secure an 83-71 victory in the State Farm Hoosier Classic on December 2. On December 6, the Sycamores did not play their best game of the year, but it was good enough to down Youngstown State, 69-56. Indiana State fell by a score of 84-66 in a tough road contest against Wisconsin-Green Bay on December 9. Junior center Laura Rudolphi connected on a pair of free throws with 4.8 seconds remaining to help secure a 53-51 road victory over Toledo on December 17. Indiana State defeated Longwood by a score of 79-68 (Dec. 20) in the opening round of the Vanderbilt Holiday Tournament and then gave the host No. 12 Commodores all they wanted in an 89-75 Vandy victory in the championship (Dec. 21). ISU opened conference play with an 84-67 victory over MVC Preseason No. 1 Drake at Hulman Center on December 29. On New Year’s Eve, Indiana State downed Creighton by a score of 89-62. ISU opened the road portion of the MVC schedule with a tough 98-91 overtime loss to Evansville. Angela Phillips led the Sycamores with 21 points versus the Purple Aces. At Southern Illinois, the Sycamores fell victim to hot Salukis shooting in fall for the first time in 14 tries against SIU, 85-69. Indiana State’s losing streak reached three games with an 83-76 loss to Missouri State at home to open a three-game homestand. ISU bounced back from the loss to the Lady Bears to down Wichita State by a score of 96-63 to split the two-game homestand. ISU fell to league-leading Illinois State before a season-best 5,588 fans by an 89-81 count. The Sycamores were behind by 23 points with just under 19 minutes left in the game, cutting the Redbird lead down to just two points at the 5:31 mark. The Sycamores rebounded on the road to down Bradley by a score of 63-50. The 50 points allowed to the Braves was the fewest an opponent had scored on the Sycamores all season long. ISU held a seven-point lead late against Northern Iowa before falling 69-66 to the Panthers in ISU’s first-ever game at the brand new McLeod Center. Indiana State returned home to down the league’s second-place team, Southern Illinois, by a score of 74-69 at Hulman Center. Leah Phillips posted a career-best 23 points, hitting four 3-pointers, to lead the Sycamores to their first victory of the year over a team with a winning record heading into the game. Evansville’s Courtney Felke hit a running jumper with 0.2 seconds left to down the Sycamores at Hulman Center 63-61. ISU was paced against the Purple Aces by junior center Laura Rudolphi with a career-high tying 23 points. Rachel Maenpaa scored 24 points to help lead Indiana State to a key 63-53 victory at Missouri State. The win over the Lady Bears was the first for the Sycamores at Hammons Student Center since 1989. Indiana State completed its first sweep of the Missouri State/Wichita State roadswing since 1989 by taking a 73-56 victory over the Shockers. Freshman Kelsey Luna was huge in the game, hitting four second half 3-pointers in leading the team with 20 points. The Sycamores became the first team in the league to down both Southern Illinois and Illinois State this year when they took down the Redbirds by 77-66 count on the road. Both Rachel Maenpaa and Laura Rudolphi posted double-doubles in the victory.

Wiedie In Conference Games — Now in his seventh conference season at the helm of the Sycamores, head coach Jim Wiedie is 74-48 in Missouri Valley Conference games, highlighted by last season’s 16-2 championship squad as well as a pair of 13-5 finishes in 2002-03 (shared regular season title) and 2004-05. At Hulman Center, Wiedie is nearly unstoppable, boasting a 44-15 mark in regular season home MVC games, including three 8-1 seasons. In the last two years, Wiedie has led the Sycamores to back-to-back eight win conference home records. Wiedie’s 74 Missouri Valley Conference victories are the most conference triumphs by a Sycamore head coach. Also his seven seasons in the Valley is the most time spent in Sycamore history as head coach of the women’s basketball program while competing in at the NCAA Division I level.

Wiedie In Non-Conference Games — After completing non-conference play with a record of 7-4 this season, the Sycamores have compiled a 41-19 record in regular season non-conference games under Jim Wiedie, including a 20-3 mark in regular season non-conference games played at Hulman Center.

Ray of Sunshine — Indiana State senior center Rachel Maenpaa posted 22 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in a 76-66 road victory over the MVC’s second-place Illinois State Redbirds on Sunday afternoon. Maenpaa hit 9-of-13 shots from the field, and was 4-of-5 at the free throw line in the win, including three huge free throws in the final minute to help seal the 10-point victory. She added a pair of assists and two blocked shots in 28 minutes of action. Maenpaa recorded her third career double-double with the 22 point/10 rebound effort, which likewise was her second double-dime in as many games. Maenpaa along with senior manager Ashley Layman will be honored in Senior Day ceremonies following Sunday’s tilt against Bradley. In fact, with a solid weekend of play, Maenpaa could reach the 1,000-point mark during this final weekend of home MVC competition. Entering Friday night’s game against Northern Iowa, she needs just 44 points to reach the career milestone. She currently has 956 career points.

Clutch Hitter — Freshman guard Kelsey Luna was held scoreless on January 19 at home against Illinois State, but the Redbirds found out why she is one of the top freshman in the Valley on Sunday afternoon in the rematch as she blistered Illinois State in the second half en route to a 76-66 road victory. Luna scored 13 points, 11 of which came in the second half, to help net the key conference win. Luna hit 4-of-9 shots from the field, including a blazing mark of 3-of-6 from behind the 3-point line, and added a pair of rebounds, an assist and steal in 28 minutes of action. After Illinois State’s Kristi Cirone drilled a 3-pointer to give the ‘Birds their first lead since midway through the first half late in Sunday’s affair, Luna drilled a triple to knot the score once again. She then hit another 3-pointer to put the Sycamores up one and also capped off a 12-3 Sycamore explosion late in the second half with a 3-pointers that was an absolute dagger to put ISU up 10 points with four minutes remaining.

On The Road — Indiana State’s recent three-game road swing sweep of Missouri State, Wichita State and Illinois State was the first time the Sycamores have won three consecutive road games since a stretch during last season’s championship run when they won at Drake, Creighton and Illinois State for their eighth, ninth and tenth conference victories en route to a school record 16-2 MVC record. Of ISU’s eight victories in conference play this season, four have come at home (out of seven attempts) and four have come on the road (out of seven attempts).

Board Game — The Sycamores have out-rebounded each of their last three opponents (Missouri State, Wichita State, and Illinois State) and have posted over 40 rebounds in each of those efforts. In fact, since beginning the second round of MVC play, the Sycamores have out-rebounded their opponents by nearly three caroms per game.
Big Weekend as Valley Winds Down — Indiana State currently stands fifth place in the league standings, however they are tied in the loss column with both Evansville and Northern Iowa with six MVC defeats. With Sunday’s 76-66 victory at Redbird Arena, ISU is the only team in the Valley to own a victory over both the league-leading Southern Illinois Salukis and second place Redbirds. ISU downed SIU at home by a score of 74-69 on February 2.

Kelsey Luna Picks Up Third MVC Newcomer of the Week Honor — Don’t tell freshman guard Kelsey Luna that the Sycamores last swept the Missouri State/Wichita State roadswing in 1989. Luna stepped in two weeks ago and led Indiana State to a feat that not even the likes of Melanie Boeglin was able to accomplish as the Sycamores downed the Lady Bears by a score of 63-53 and then was victorious over the Shockers, 73-56. Luna averaged 19 points and 3.5 rebounds during the two road victories, hitting 41.2% of her 3-point shots as well as 46.4% of attempts from the field en route to being named Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week. Versus Wichita State, the Sycamores missed each of their first nine 3-point attempts before Luna caught fire in the second half, draining four triples in pacing ISU with 20 points. She hit 8-of-16 shots from the field, including a blazing 4-of-8 from long range in leading the Sycamores to their seventh consecutive victory over Wichita State. Luna added five assists, her first career blocked shot and a steal in a career-high 35 minutes of action. Against one of the best rebounding teams in the league and nation, Luna was huge pulling down five caroms. Against Missouri State, where Indiana State won for the last time since 1989, Luna hit a trio of triples and was 5-of-6 from the free throw line in scoring 18 points as she started her first career game. Luna added two rebounds and a pair of steals in 33 minutes of action. With ISU leading 63-53 and time winding down, Luna stole the ball from the Lady Bears to cement the Sycamores first win in Springfield since George Herbert Walker Bush was our nation’s President.

Block Party — Indiana State junior center Laura Rudolphi has recorded 29 blocked shots on the season, which gives her 94 for her career - a number which ranks first in the history of the program. The Sycamore career record was held by Missy Stringham (96-00), who was credited with 86 career blocked shots. Rudolphi set the record with a pair of blocked shots last at Northern Iowa. It is the second career record that Rudolphi owns as her career field goal percentage mark of .537 tops the Sycamore charts as well. For the year, her 29 blocked shots are tied for fifth-best in the history of the program.

Strong Inside — Indiana State junior Laura Rudolphi and senior Rachel Maenpaa are proving to be a dynamic 1-2 punch for the Sycamores inside. Both Rudolphi and Maenpaa rank in the Valley’s Top 10 for both scoring and rebounding. Rudolphi averages 14.2 ppg (7th in Valley) and 6.9 rpg (5th in Valley) while Maenpaa averages 13.7 ppg (10th in Valley) and 6.2 rpg (9th in Valley). Rudolphi’s 54.1% field goal percentage ranks fourth-best in the league and an outstanding 30th in the nation. Maenpaa’s 49.8% field goal percentage is ninth-best in the league and ranks 74th nationally. When fouled, the two inside are some of the best in the Valley at the charity stripe as Rudolphi hits 79.7% of her free throws which ranks seventh in the league and 89th nationally. Maenpaa at the line is hitting 73.9% of her attempts, which is 15th-best in the Valley.

The Last Time Out (at Illinois State on February 18) — Indiana State senior Rachel Maenpaa posted her third career double-double and junior Laura Rudolphi notched a double-dime as well as the Sycamores visited Redbird Arena and came away with a key 76-66 Missouri Valley Conference victory. ISU improved to 15-10, 8-6 MVC while the ‘Birds fall to 17-8, 10-4 MVC.

Maenpaa scored 22 points and pulled down 10 rebounds as she hit 9-of-13 shots from the field and was 4-of-5 at the free throw line. She added two assists and a pair of blocked shots in posted her third career double-double and her second in as many games.

Rudolphi battled some foul trouble to score 13 points and pull down a career-best 12 caroms in the game. The program’s all-time leading shot blocker, Rudolphi notched one more in 29 minutes of action.

It was all needed against the Illinois State duo of point guard Kristi Cirone, who hit four 3-pointers to lead the ‘Birds with 24 points while Nicolle Lewis hit nine free throws to score 19 points.

The Redbirds held an 18-16 lead with 9:29 left in the first half when Lewis connected on a pair of free throws. Indiana State heated up from long range behind the stroke of junior guard Angela Phillips who drained a 3-pointer from the left wing for the 19-18 lead on the next possession. Sophomore Kara Schilli added a jumper with 7:10 to go to make it 21-18, but Cirone answered with a triple to tie the score at 21.

ISU spurted out to a 26-21 lead on a free throw by Maria Olsthoorn with 4:54 left, before the ‘Birds trimmed the Sycamore advantage back down to 27-25 on another Cirone jumper. The Sycamores extended the lead out to 35-27 on a jumper with a Rudolphi jumper at the 24 second mark, before Illinois State’ Lori Trumblee connected on a short corner jumper to send ISU to the locker room with a 35-29 lead.

The Redbirds continued to scratch and claw at the Sycamore lead early in the second half as a 3-pointer by Megan McCracken cut the advantage down to 37-36 with 17:56 left in the game. Leah Phillips answered with a triple of her to stretch the lead back up to 40-36 on the next possession.

The lead hit 42-37 a moment later on a lay-up by Rudolphi before four points by Lewis and 3-point play by Cirone sandwiched around a Maenpaa jump shot tied the game with 44 with just over 13 minutes showing on the clock.

The Sycamore freshman Kelsey Luna got into the act with a jumper of her own to make it 46-44 Sycamores, before Lewis tied the game at 46 with a pair of free throws.

Illinois State regained the lead after a Sycamore turnover when Cirone buried a 3-pointer in transition to give the ‘Birds a 49-46 lead with 11:41 left.

After the Redbird lead hit 51-47 with just over 10 minutes left, Rudolphi connected on a pair of free throws, Cirone drilled a free throw and then Luna stroked a 3-pointer to tie the score at 52 with just under nine minutes remaining.

Lewis hit two more charity tosses to make the score 54-52, and then after a missed 3-pointer, Cirone took the ball and missed a fast break lay-up. It was key because Angela Phillips took the ball from Rudolphi off the rebound and went the length of the court to tie the game at 54.

ISU stretched the lead back out to 61-55 with 5:18 left on three consecutive scores inside by Sycamore post players. Luna drilled a 3-pointer after a Lashawn Johnson missed lay-up to make the score 64-55 and five the Sycamores a nine-point advantage with just over four minutes left.

After the ‘Birds trimmed the lead to seven points, Luna went right back at it with yet another triple to give ISU a huge 67-57 lead with four minutes remaining.

The Sycamore lead was cut down to six points four times over the final four minutes but ISU was efficient at the free throw line, as Angela Phillips hit four free throws and Maenpaa connected on three to seal the victory.

Luna finished the game with 13 points, hitting a trio of 3-pointers while Angela Phillips posted 11, pulled down four rebounds and dished out five assists.

ISU out-rebounded the Redbirds by a 44-40 margin, marking the third consecutive game in which they have pulled down more caroms than their opponents as well as the third consecutive game in which they have reached the 40 rebound margin.

Indiana State hit 49% of their shots from the field, including an efficient 5-of-10 from 3-point range while holding Illinois State to just 30% shooting in the game, including a mark of 26.5% in the second half. ISU won the battle in the paint, out-scoring the ‘Birds by a 30-16 margin, while the Sycamore bench was also huge, holding a 14-6 advantage.

Up Next — The Sycamores wrap up the home portion of the regular season when they host Bradley on Sunday, February 25 at Hulman Center. Tip-off is slated for 2:05 p.m. ISU will honor the career of senior Rachel Maenpaa in post-game ceremonies. ISU downed the Braves, 63-50 earlier this season in Peoria, Ill.