WC Indiana News

Sycamores host Lincoln (Mo.) in Thursday evening exhibition

Indiana State plays its only preseason contest of the 2022-23 campaign Thursday when it welcomes Lincoln (Mo.) for a 6 p.m. tip inside Hulman Center. 

Indiana State welcomes back a plethora of talent from last season's team, headlined by Honorable Mention All-MVC and MVC All-Defensive Team selection Del'Janae Williams. Williams led the Sycamores in points (12.5), assists (2.8) and steals (2.0), ranking inside the top 15 in the conference in all three categories.

 

Also back among the Sycamore starters are Mya Glanton, the team's leading rebounder from a season ago at 6.1 per game, and Natalia Lalic, who connected on 33.3 percent of her 3-point attempts. Anna McKendree (5.9 ppg, 1.5 spg), Caitlin Anderson (5.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Florence Tshimanga (1.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg) all return after factoring into the rotation last season.

 

The Sycamores also return a trio of players from injury, led by Adrian Folks. Folks was the team's leading scorer (14.6) and rebounder (5.8) through the first five games before a season-ending injury curtailed her hot start. Sommer Pitzer and Hattie Westerfeld, both of whom were starters during the 2020-21 season, are back after missing all of last season due to injuries.

 

Fresh Faces in the Fold

In addition to the returning talent, head coach Chad Killinger bolstered his roster with five newcomers. Three of the five are transfers, while two freshmen join the team for the 2022-23 campaign.

 

Alona Blackwell (Oakland), Chelsea Cain (Nicholls State) and Ella Sawyer (Austin Peay) all signed with Indiana State this past offseason and will figure to play a role in the upcoming season. All three transfers were named to the All-Freshman or All-Newcomer Teams in their past conferences during the 2019-20 season, while Cain was a First Team All-Southland Conference selection following the 2020-21 season and led Nicholls in scoring each of the last two seasons.

 

Freshmen Bella Finnegan and Lily Niebuhr, Killinger's first two signees at Indiana State, will play their first collegiate basketball action Thursday for the Blue and White. Finnegan is one of Indiana State's top shooters from behind the arc and offers length and versatility along the wing. Niebuhr adds a strong interior post presence in the frontcourt for the Trees.

 

Lincoln (Mo.) at a Glance

Lincoln (Mo.) went 5-23 in 2021-22, including a 1-20 mark in MIAA play. The five wins more than doubled the Blue Tigers' 2020-21 win total, where they won just two games.

 

Lincoln (Mo.) was picked to finish 14th in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll and tied for 13th in the MIAA Preseason Media Poll. The Blue Tigers received 18 points in the coaches poll, just four above the minimum, while garnering 31 points in the media poll.

 

Andrea Mize enters her third season as head coach at Lincoln, her first four-year coaching gig. Mize played three seasons at Indiana, the last of those being the 2014-15 season where the Sycamores topped the Hoosiers in overtime in Bloomington.

 

The Blue Tigers failed to have a player average double-figure scoring last season. Le'Yanna McGinnis (9.1) and Kelsey Mitchell (8.4) lead Lincoln in scoring last season, and both are back for the 2022-23 campaign.

 

This is the sixth consecutive season that Lincoln (Mo.) has played an exhibition against a Missouri Valley Conference team. The Blue Tigers played Missouri State each of the last four years and played Bradley during the 2017-18 season.

 

Series History Against Lincoln (Mo.)

Thursday's exhibition will be the first-ever meeting between the Sycamores and Blue Tigers.

 

Hulman Center Upgrades

The Sycamores will be unveiling the completed upgrades to Hulman Center throughout the 2022-23 season. A nearly two-year renovation project added several updates to the building including a new exterior facade and a glass entrance at the south end that adds square footage and event/meeting space. Light through the glass changes the feel of the building. Previously, the bowl was closed off. From the outside and upon entering, people will be able to glimpse the bowl and the building's high-energy events.

 

A new multi-purpose suite overlooking a new court as well as an open-faced area on the south end of the arena are immediately noticeable. Fans will enjoy new restrooms and concession stands while walking the new concourse area, while instantly noticing the new lighting for the court and an improved sound system. Prior to the start of the 2022-23 season, a series of new scoring, message, and video boards was installed at Hulman Center culminating with new center-hung scoreboard over midcourt in the arena. The project was made possible entirely through private funding thanks to a $2 million gift from the Hulman-George family.

 

Schedule Format

With the MVC adding UIC, Murray State and Belmont, the conference moved to a 20-game schedule this season. Indiana State will play everyone home and away, with two exceptions. The Sycamores will face Drake at home and Northern Iowa on the road, but will not see the return ends of either trip.

 

Indiana State's non-conference schedule was reduced to nine games with the new conference schedule format. Seven of those nine non-conference games are at home.

Original source can be found here.