ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Missouri Valley ConferenceD1-FCSwinter

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Kristen Gillespie's Illinois State women's basketball program competed in the Missouri Valley Conference during the winter season with a 15-10 overall record that reflected an 8-3 conference standing. The Redbirds scored 73.3 points per game while limiting opponents to 68.8, showcasing defensive discipline across their 14-player roster representing the Norman, Illinois campus at CEFCU Arena. Gillespie's team dominated at home with a 12-2 record but struggled away from CEFCU with just a 3-8 road mark, illustrating a significant disparity between home and road performance.

Illinois State's scoring efficiency placed them in the upper echelon of the Missouri Valley Conference, and their defensive metrics proved more formidable than their offensive output suggested. The program drew from an enrollment pool of 21,994 students at the university founded in 1857, building a competitive mid-major roster designed to challenge within conference play. While the road difficulties complicated the Redbirds' tournament positioning, their conference record of 8-3 remained respectable through the regular season, with Gillespie implementing a structured defensive scheme that kept opponents under 69 points consistently.

KEY FACTS

SchoolIllinois State University
SportWomen's Basketball
ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference
DivisionD1-FCS
LocationNormal, Illinois
VenueCEFCU Arena
Head CoachKristen Gillespie

ROSTER (2025-26)

#NamePos
32Zanyra AdamsG
8Madison AustinF
5Morgan BrunoG
3Trista FaytaG
12Jordan FenskeG
33Bella FinneganG
11Kya HurtG
24Addison MartinF
23Grace NelsonG
4Jaeden PrattG
2De'Shawnti ThomasG
21Nevaeh ThomasF
15Taylor VeachG
22Doneelah WashingtonF

SEASON RECORD

24-14

Overall

18-4

Home

6-10

Away

12-6

Conference

71.3 PPG / 66.7 Opp PPG

SCHEDULE (2025-26)

DateOpponentResult
Nov 4Dayton FlyersW 87-76
Nov 9Illinois Fighting IlliniL 65-75
Nov 12Chicago State CougarsW 101-52
Nov 19Loyola Chicago RamblersW 59-44
Nov 22Saint Louis BillikensW 81-75
Nov 26Rice OwlsL 72-75
Nov 27East Carolina PiratesL 66-73
Nov 28Wake Forest Demon DeaconsL 44-57
Dec 4Northern Iowa PanthersL 54-68
Dec 7Eastern Illinois PanthersW 64-46
Dec 14Nebraska CornhuskersL 44-85
Dec 20Oakland Golden GrizzliesW 89-66
Dec 30Indiana State SycamoresW 105-64
Jan 3Murray State RacersL 93-101
Jan 4Belmont BruinsL 68-75
Jan 9UIC FlamesW 75-61
Jan 11Evansville Purple AcesW 82-71
Jan 16Valparaiso BeaconsW 93-74
Jan 23UIC FlamesL 64-76
Jan 25Indiana State SycamoresW 85-69
Jan 30Northern Iowa PanthersW 59-55
Feb 1Bradley BravesW 58-54
Feb 7Drake BulldogsW 77-70
Feb 14Southern Illinois SalukisL 60-84
Feb 15Evansville Purple AcesW 88-75
Feb 21Belmont BruinsW 83-78
Feb 22Murray State RacersL 62-73
Feb 27Southern Illinois SalukisW 78-60
Feb 28Valparaiso BeaconsW 83-42
Mar 6Drake BulldogsL 55-73
Mar 8Bradley BravesW 66-65
Mar 14Drake BulldogsW 69-62
Mar 14Evansville Purple AcesL 70-75
Mar 22UT Rio Grande Valley VaquerosW 81-52
Mar 27Abilene Christian WildcatsW 59-55
Mar 30George Washington RevolutionariesW 61-53
Apr 2South Dakota CoyotesW 67-60
Apr 4Marshall Thundering HerdL 41-66

OTHER SPORTS AT ILLINOIS STATE

BaseballFootballMen's BasketballMen's Cross CountryMen's GolfMen's SoccerMen's TennisSoftballWomen's Cross CountryWomen's GolfWomen's LacrosseWomen's SoccerWomen's Swimming & DivingWomen's TennisWomen's Volleyball

MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PROGRAMS

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Illinois Women's Basketball Programs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What conference does Illinois State Women's Basketball compete in?
Illinois State Redbirds Women's Basketball competes in the Missouri Valley Conference conference at the NCAA D1-FCS level.
Where does Illinois State play women's basketball home games?
Illinois State Women's Basketball plays home games at CEFCU Arena in Normal, IL.
Who is the head coach of Illinois State Women's Basketball?
The head coach of Illinois State Redbirds Women's Basketball is Kristen Gillespie.
When was Illinois State Women's Basketball program established?
The establishment date for Illinois State Women's Basketball is not currently available.