Illinois State women win twice to earn St. Mary's tournament crown

MORAGA, Calif. — The Illinois State women's basketball team limited St. Mary's to 18 second-half points and defeated the host team 62-51 on Saturday to claim the championship of the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic.

The first half was tight with neither team leading by more than six and ended in a 33-33 tie.

ISU outscored the Gaels 17-6 in the third quarter. The other three periods were a combined 45-45.

DeAnna Wilson paced the 5-1 Redbirds with 18 points. Caroline Waite and Maya Wong added nine each and Abbie Aalsma eight.

Kate Bullman contributed 11 rebounds, five assists and four blocks.

ISU shot 41 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3-point range. St. Mary's (3-4) came in at 39 percent shooting and converted just 2 of 19 from beyond the arc.

Tayla Dalton led the Gaels with 11 points.

ISU 87, Texas-Arlington 63: The Redbirds outscored the Mavericks in each quarter for the comfortable win.

“It was a physical affair, but I’m really proud of our effort," ISU coach Kristen Gillespie said. “We had to work through foul trouble and our bench stepped up in so many ways. I know we’ll be better down the road because of our performance.”

Waite topped the Redbirds with 16 points with 12 coming of 4 of 8 3-point shooting. Wong connected on 11 of 14 at the free throw line on her way to 15 points.

Daijah Smith had her best game of the season with 14 points and seven rebounds while hitting all eight of her foul shots. Freshman Brooke Coffey contributed 11 points and eight rebounds.

ISU starters Wilson and Bullfman both fouled out.

Photos: SIUE at Illinois State University womens basketball.