Postgame Press Conference

WICHITA, Kan. –  Angiee Tompkins and Rangie Bessard combined to score 36 points to help lead Wichita State to its third consecutive Missouri Valley Conference win, defeating Illinois State, 67-45.
 
Tompkins led all scorers with 20 points, while also collecting a game-high eight rebounds. Bessard also added 16 points and three rebounds.
 
The Redbirds were led in scoring by Brechelle Beachum who had 19 points and three rebounds while Hannah Green added 10 points.
 
The Shockers came out strong in the first quarter, jumping out to an early 13-8 lead before Illinois State called its first timeout of the game. The Shockers then held the Redbirds scoreless for the next three minutes, pushing the lead to 19-10 before the end of the first quarter.
 
Two free throws by Diamond Lockhart and one from Bessard extended the lead to 22-10 early in the second quarter. Before the media timeout, a layup by Aundra Stovall helped keep the Wichita State lead at 10, 24-14. A three-pointer by Illinois State with 1:30 left in the second quarter cut the lead to 28-21, but a late layup by Keke Thompson sent the Shockers to the locker room with a 30-23 lead.

After going scoreless for the first three minutes of the third quarter, a layup by Tompkins pushed the lead back to five, 32-27. Back-to-back baskets for Jeliah Preston and Tompkins pushed the lead to 41-34. With 1:26 left in the quarter, Illinois State called its second timeout down 45-36. At the end of the third quarter, the Shockers held a 47-39 lead.
 
The Shockers were able to quickly extend their lead to start the fourth, hitting four consecutive shots to take a 56-39 lead with 6:50 left in the game. After hitting five shots in a row, the Shockers did not make another field goal for the next four minutes, but the defense held strong and a layup by Tompkins held the lead at 62-43 with 1:48 to play. Kayla Williams knocked down a trey with 30 seconds left to seal the game, defeating the Redbirds, 67-45.
 
The Shockers will be in action again on Friday, Jan. 27 as they travel to Terre Haute, Ind., to take on Indiana State at 6 p.m.

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