Preview: George Washington at Illinois State, Women’s NCAA Basketball

NORMAL, Ill. (Interstat) — The Illinois State Redbirds, riding a three-game winning streak, will host the George Washington Revolutionaries in a nonconference women’s basketball matchup Monday night at Redbird Arena.

Illinois State (21-13) enters following a 59-55 victory over Abilene Christian on Friday. The Redbirds have won five of their last six games, with their only loss in that span coming in overtime to Evansville.

The Redbirds are led by forward Doneelah Washington, who is averaging 20.3 points over her last four games. She scored 23 points in Friday’s win and had a 21-point performance in a blowout victory over Texas-Rio Grande Valley on March 22.

George Washington (18-17) has also found late-season momentum, winning three consecutive games, including a 71-62 decision over Loyola Chicago on Friday. The Revolutionaries’ recent success has been fueled by guard Sara Lewis, who is coming off a career-high 25-point, eight-assist performance in that victory. Lewis has scored in double figures in 10 straight games.

While Illinois State boasts the stronger overall record, George Washington has shown resilience in close games, with two of its three recent wins decided by three points or fewer.

The matchup in the paint will be critical. Illinois State’s Washington will look to dominate inside, while George Washington will counter with the backcourt duo of Lewis and Gabby Reynolds, who added 20 points in the win over Loyola Chicago.

This game marks the final scheduled nonconference tune-up for both teams before postseason tournaments are set to begin.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CDT Monday at Redbird Arena.