University of St. Thomas Athletics
Tuesday, November 15
Normal, Ill.
6:30 p.m. Central
1-2,0-0Summit League
56
at
71
Illinois State
2-0,0-0MVC
1
2
3
4
F
St. Thomas (MN)
20
12
11
13
56
Illinois St.
12
19
16
24
71
Photo by: Wesley Dean
Opichka scores career-high 20 points in road loss to Illinois State
11/15/2022 8:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
St. Paul, Minn. -- Sophomore Sammy Opichka powered to a career-high 20 points and eight rebounds Tuesday night during St. Thomas Women's Basketball's 71-56 loss at Illinois State. Opichka finished a perfect 6-of-6 from the field with two 3-pointers and 6-of-6 from the free throw line as the Tommies fall to 1-2 overall.
After sophomore Jade Hill scored the opening basket unassisted, the Redbirds went on an 8-2 run for a four-point lead. Senior Maggie Negaard hit the first of her three 3-pointers to start a 16-2 run, fueled by 11 points from Opichka.
The Tommies reached double-digit leads three times in the first half, the final of which on a layup from sophomore Jordyn Lamker to go ahead, 26-16. Negaard later hit her third 3-pointer for a 29-20 lead with 4:36 to play before halftime. The Redbirds came back with an 11-3 run to cut the Tommies' lead to one, 32-31.
The Redbirds hit a 3-pointer out of halftime to take their first lead since early in the first quarter. Lamker and Opichka scored back-to-back baskets to regain the lead but fell behind for good after an 11-2 ISU run. The Tommies went 1-of-4 shooting with four turnovers over four minutes to trail, 45-38.
The Redbirds outscored the Tommies in the final quarter, 24-13, while hitting over 50 percent from the field. St. Thomas ended the game shooting 41.2 percent from the field compared to 51.0 percent for Illinois State. The Tommies won the rebound margin, 31-26, but gave away 20 turnovers that led to 20 ISU points.
Opichka also led the team with eight rebounds, setting another career high. Hill finished with 12 points and six assists while Lamker totaled 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
St. Thomas returns to St. Paul Nov. 19 for its next game against Presbyterian. The Tommies and the Blue Hose tip-off at 7 p.m. from Schoenecker Arena.
Follow Along
For more information on St. Thomas Women's Basketball, follow along on Twitter and Instagram at @TommieWBBall
Join Us
To reserve your seat to be a part of the Tommies' 2022 season, click HERE to view ticketing information and purchase options.
After sophomore Jade Hill scored the opening basket unassisted, the Redbirds went on an 8-2 run for a four-point lead. Senior Maggie Negaard hit the first of her three 3-pointers to start a 16-2 run, fueled by 11 points from Opichka.
The Tommies reached double-digit leads three times in the first half, the final of which on a layup from sophomore Jordyn Lamker to go ahead, 26-16. Negaard later hit her third 3-pointer for a 29-20 lead with 4:36 to play before halftime. The Redbirds came back with an 11-3 run to cut the Tommies' lead to one, 32-31.
The Redbirds hit a 3-pointer out of halftime to take their first lead since early in the first quarter. Lamker and Opichka scored back-to-back baskets to regain the lead but fell behind for good after an 11-2 ISU run. The Tommies went 1-of-4 shooting with four turnovers over four minutes to trail, 45-38.
The Redbirds outscored the Tommies in the final quarter, 24-13, while hitting over 50 percent from the field. St. Thomas ended the game shooting 41.2 percent from the field compared to 51.0 percent for Illinois State. The Tommies won the rebound margin, 31-26, but gave away 20 turnovers that led to 20 ISU points.
Opichka also led the team with eight rebounds, setting another career high. Hill finished with 12 points and six assists while Lamker totaled 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting.
St. Thomas returns to St. Paul Nov. 19 for its next game against Presbyterian. The Tommies and the Blue Hose tip-off at 7 p.m. from Schoenecker Arena.
Follow Along
For more information on St. Thomas Women's Basketball, follow along on Twitter and Instagram at @TommieWBBall
Join Us
To reserve your seat to be a part of the Tommies' 2022 season, click HERE to view ticketing information and purchase options.
Team Stats
UST
ILS
FG%
.412
.510
3FG%
.353
.250
FT%
.667
.842
RB
31
26
TO
20
12
STL
5
11
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
20
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
6
Pts
10
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
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