Illinois State Dominates Southern Illinois Edwardsville
The Redbirds secured a 93-59 exhibition victory at CEFCU Arena in Normal.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Basketball
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The Illinois State women's basketball team defeated Southern Illinois Edwardsville 93-59 in their recent exhibition game. The win was highlighted by the return of Nevaeh Thomas, who played her first game in over 11 months.
Why it matters
The victory demonstrates the impact of a dedicated off-season training regimen focused on physical toughness. The team's improved rebounding effort serves as a key indicator of their preparation for the upcoming competitive season.
Nevaeh Thomas led the effort with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists in her return. Danyella Mporokoso added 15 points, while Chloe Spreen contributed 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting.
The players
Nevaeh Thomas
She is an Illinois State player who returned to the court after an absence of over 11 months.
Danyella Mporokoso
She is a freshman basketball player for Illinois State who contributed 15 points to the team effort.
Chloe Spreen
She is a member of the Illinois State women's basketball team who shot 5-of-6 from the field.
Madison Young
She is an Illinois State player currently recovering from mononucleosis.
Morgan Bruno
She is an Illinois State player who will miss the entire season due to a torn knee ligament.
The details
Illinois State used a third-quarter surge of 3-pointers to pull away from their opponent. The team dominated the boards throughout the contest, securing 50 rebounds compared to 27 for Southern Illinois Edwardsville.
Timeline
Nevaeh Thomas last played on November 18, 2025.
Coaching staff began emphasizing toughness in June 2026.
Illinois State won the exhibition game on October 26, 2026.
The regular season begins against Chicago State on November 2, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This exhibition performance provides an early glimpse of how the Redbirds plan to utilize their rebounding advantage to control the pace of play. The game establishes a positive momentum for the roster ahead of their official regular season debut against Chicago State.
Fans can expect a focus on perimeter shooting and physical rebounding as core components of the Redbirds' offensive strategy this year. The 50-27 rebounding margin suggests a potential defensive stability that could influence future game outcomes.
The takeaway
Maintaining consistent rebounding dominance will be a critical factor for the team's success in league play this season. Fans should monitor the rotation adjustments as key players like Madison Young return to the lineup.
What happens next
The team is scheduled to open their regular season at home against Chicago State on November 2, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the team's upcoming schedule, visit the Basketball page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pantagraph.
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