NORMAL, Ill. (Interstat) — The Illinois State women’s basketball team delivered a commanding performance Wednesday afternoon, overwhelming the visiting Chicago State Cougars 101-52 in a non-conference matchup at Redbird Arena.

From the opening tip, the Redbirds established a dominant presence, outscoring the Cougars 31-11 in the first quarter and never looking back. The offensive onslaught continued throughout the game, with Illinois State adding 24 points in the second, 22 in the third, and 24 in the fourth to secure the lopsided victory before an announced crowd of 7,629.

The game was a stark contrast in offensive efficiency. Illinois State shot 50 percent from the floor, connecting on 34 of 68 attempts, while Chicago State struggled immensely, making just 19 of 67 shots for a 28.4 percent clip. The Cougars’ shooting woes were particularly acute from beyond the arc, where they hit only 3 of 33 three-point attempts. Free throws were also a problem area for Chicago State, which went 11 for 23 from the line.

Illinois State’s offense was a balanced and potent attack. Nevaeh Thomas led the way with 15 points and nine rebounds in just 16 minutes of play. Kya Hurt orchestrated the offense effectively, scoring 13 points and dishing out five assists. Jaeden Pratt added 14 points and six rebounds, while Addison Martin and Zanyra Adams chipped in 10 and 11 points, respectively. The Redbirds also shared the ball well, finishing with 10 assists as a team.

Defensively, Illinois State was formidable, recording 10 steals and seven blocks. Doneelah Washington was a force in the paint, blocking four shots to go with seven points and nine rebounds.

For Chicago State, Aiyanna Culver was a bright spot, scoring a team-high 15 points. Kayla Mount contributed eight points and seven rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench. The Cougars were hampered by 16 turnovers and were outrebounded by the Redbirds, who collected 17 offensive boards.

The victory improves Illinois State’s season record to 2-1, while Chicago State falls to 1-3. The Redbirds will look to build on this momentum when they travel to face Loyola Chicago on Tuesday. Chicago State, continuing a challenging early-season road stretch, will play at Western Illinois on Monday.