NORMAL — Clanging free throws off the back of the rim had blossomed into an annoying habit for the Illinois State women's basketball team.
And it quite nearly cost the Redbirds a game against Missouri Valley Conference foe Bradley on Friday at Redbird Arena.
But freshmen Shakeela Fowler and Viria Livingston each swished two from the foul line in the final 14 seconds as ISU cast aside the Braves, 54-49, before a crowd of 1,142.
"I practiced an extra 30 minutes just on free throws today," Fowler said. "It was real important I took my time and shot it like I do in an empty gym.