Strong second half earns womens basketball the win

The Indiana State women's basketball ball team has three players in double digits in win over the UNI Panthers Sunday.

The Sycamores were led by seniors Brittany Schoen and Shannon Thomas and sophomore Anna Munn.  Munn went 6-17 from the field, 3-11 from long range to post 17 points for the Sycamores.  Thomas recorded a double-double for the afternoon pulling down 18 rebounds and scoring 13 points, 4-7 from the field and 5-6 from the free throw line.  Schoen added 12 points for the Sycamores.

The Panthers also had three players making double figures.  Oney led the team in scoring with 16, followed by teammate Armstrong with 15 and Madrigal with 12 points.

The win improved the Sycamores overall record to 12-12, 6-6 in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC).  The victory capped off a victorious home conference weekend for the Sycamores.  The loss dropped the Panthers record to 15-9, 8-5 in the conference.

The Sycamores were 81.8 percent from the free throw line and out rebounded the Panthers 42-22 with 34 defensive rebounds to the Panthers 21.

Following the opening tip the Sycamores went on a 6-0 run initiated with a layup by junior guard Taylor Whitley.  The Panthers hung close as they took the lead for the first time of the evening by converting an ISU turnover.    

UNI extended their lead to six points, 23-17, with 6:32 remaining in the first half but the Sycamores tied the game at 23 on a layup from Travecia Franklin before regaining the lead on a pair of free throws from senior guard Deja Mattox.

The lead would change hands again but going into the half the teams were tied at 30 thanks to Schoen hitting a three-pointer with seven seconds before the half.

The Sycamores took the lead in the second half on a Whitley free throw and never ceded it again.  ISU grew their lead to 11 points, 47-36, with 13:45 remaining in the second half.  The Panthers were unable to get back into the game and the Sycamores hanged on for the win, 71-60.

Next up for the ISU women's basketball squad is the Drake University Bulldogs.  The Sycamores will travel to Des Moines, Iowa Friday for the matchup.  Tip-off is set for 8:05 p.m.