December 21, 2006
Women’s Basketball
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SYCAMORES COME CLOSE AT NO. 12 VANDERBILT, 89-75

BOX SCORE (HTML)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Indiana State used a strong 3-point shooting night as well as a career-high 23 points from senior Rachel Maenpaa as the Sycamores suffered a narrow 89-75 defeat at No. 12 Vanderbilt in the championship of the 2006 Vanderbilt Holiday Tournament.

Indiana State stayed in the game in the first half by making 13 of its first 18 shots from the field and six of its first 10 3-pointers. The Sycamores shot 55.6 percent before halftime. ISU led by a game-high seven points, 30-23 with just over eight minutes on the clock in the first half.

The Commodores (11-1) pulled away in the second half with a 19-8 run, stretching a 58-53 lead to 77-61 with 5:27 remaining.

Vanderbilt clamped down on defense in the second half, holding Indiana State to 34.4 percent shooting. The Commodores shot 54.8 percent in the second half.

Maenpaa hit 10-of-17 shots from the field to post her career-best 23 points. Kelsey Luna hit four 3-pointers, while Leah Phillips hit three as the Sycamores hit a total of eighr triples in the game. Luna finished with 19 points while Phillips had 16.

Indiana State returns to action to open Missouri Valley Conference play on December 29 when they host Drake at Hulman Center. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. (ET).

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