MVC Player of the Week - Kristi Cirone, Illinois State, Jr., G, Chicago, Ill.

Cirone extended her game-high scoring streak to five to lead the Redbirds to two more conference victories. Against Northern Iowa, Cirone scored 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including a 4-for-5 performance from three-point range. It was her third-consecutive game with 20 points, just the second streak of her career. In a win over Bradley, Cirone scored 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 performance from beyond the arc, in just 27 minutes. Cirone remains at the top of the Valley scoring list in conference games, averaging 22.0 points per contest.

MVC Newcomer of the week - Maggie Dwyer, Missouri St., F, Jr., Grand Haven, Mich.

Junior forward Maggie Dwyer led Missouri State in scoring with a 16.5 ppg. average while pulling down 6.0 rebounds and playing a team-high 35.0 minutes per outing in victories over Evansville and Southern Illinois this past week. Against the Purple Aces, Dwyer converted 5-of-12 field goal attempts and 6-of-8 foul shots to total a team-high 17 points. She also grabbed six boards and recorded a game-high three steals and a pair of assists in the Lady Bears’ 76-65 win on Thursday. The Michigan State transfer followed up that effort with a 16-point, six rebound performance Saturday to help the Lady Bears notch consecutive MVC victories for the first time since February 2006 with a 77-67 decision over the Salukis.

Other Notable Performances - Player

Monica Rogers, Bradley, F, Jr., Forsyth, Ill.

Jill Martin, Drake, Sr., F, Norwalk, Iowa

Rebekah Parker, Evansville, G, Sr., Silver Lake, Ind.

Laura Rudolphi, Indiana State, C, Sr., Carlyle, Ill./Carylyle

Tahnee Balerio, Missouri State, G, Sr., Buhler, Kan.

Alexa Mennen, UNI, F, So., Dumont, Iowa

Jayme Sweere, Southern Illinois, G/F, Sr., Springfield, Mo.

Kyrie Kinder, Wichita State, G, Sr., Benton, Kan.

Other Notable Performances - Newcomer
Monica Rogers, Bradley, F, Jr., Forsyth, Ill.

Shala Jackson, Illinois State, G, Fr., Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Jacqui Kalin, UNI, G, Fr., Sioux City, Iowa

Tanaeya Worden, Southern Illinois, G, Fr., Sioux City, Iowa

Jacie Hoyt, Wichita State, G, So., Hoxie, Kan. 

NCAA RPI

The NCAA released its RPI rankings on Jan. 11.  Illinois State is the top-rated MVC team at No. 48, followed by Creighton, Drake and Indiana State. Below are the complete MVC ratings.

Streaks Continue for ILS, DU

League-leading Illinois State’s winning streak has reached 10 games after a pair of weekend wins over UNI and Bradley.  The streak equals the third-longest in Redbird history, matching a 10-win run in 1984-85.  The 1988-89 Illinois State team won a school record 16-consecutive games – their first 16 conference games that season.

Illinois State WBB all-time win streaks:

#              Year

16            1988-89

11            1983-84

10            1984-85

Drake has won five in a row and their first three in Valley play for the sixth time in school history (1985-86, 1994-95, 1997-98, 1999-00, 2001-02).  In those seasons, the Bulldogs have finished in first place twice (1997-98, 1999-00) and second place three times.