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Illinois State women grateful for opportunity to extend season

NORMAL — The Illinois State women's basketball team took its March 14 loss to Drake in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament hard.

The Redbirds had a late five-point lead but went cold in the final three minutes and suffered a 75-69 defeat.

"I told Shanny (Shannon Dowell) before practice I think a piece of me died on that court," fifth-year guard Maya Wong said Friday. "Everybody put their heart into that game. It was a little bit of a soul crusher to not win."

The Women's National Invitation Tournament provides the Redbirds with a chance to finish their season on a more positive note as Western Illinois visits CEFCU Arena on Sunday at 2 p.