NORMAL, Ill. (Interstat) — Illinois State held off a Northern Iowa rally for a 59-55 women’s basketball victory Thursday night at Redbird Arena.

The Redbirds led 20-19 at halftime before both offenses surged in the third quarter. Northern Iowa’s Jenna Twedt scored a game-high 19 points, fueling a second-half push that kept the Panthers close. Illinois State’s Kya Hurt answered with 16 points, and Trista Fayta added 11 points and six assists.

The Redbirds sealed the game at the free-throw line in the final minute before a crowd of 1,739. Illinois State improved to 11-9 overall, while Northern Iowa fell to 10-10.