Storylines
Swan Song: Chicago State matches up with New Mexico State in the final regular season series for both teams before next week's WAC Tournament in Las Vegas. The Cougars are hungry for their first win of the season, while New Mexico State is aiming to extend its perfect all-time record against Chicago State. The Cougars are fresh off of two bye weeks, not having played since February 14 against Tarleton. Nadia Thorman-McKey remains Chicago State's top scorer, pouring in 13.6 points per game.
Aggies, Come on Down: Aaliyah Prince and Soufia Inoussa have served as the Aggies' heartbeat, with both guards scoring in double figures. The Aggies don't shoot many threes (second-fewest in the WAC) but are the third most efficient team from behind the arc, stroking it at 31.1% to date. Head coach Brooke Atkinson is in her fourth season at the helm in Las Cruces, having guided the Aggies to a program-record 26 wins in 2018-19, earning their fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament in five years.
McBeast: In her Division I debut season, Nadia Thorman-McKey has powered Chicago State's offense. The Evanston, Illinois native has posted double-figures in six games, including a pair of 20-point outbursts January 22 and 23 at California Baptist. Thorman-McKey leads the Cougars in scoring (13.6 points per game) and ranks second in total rebounds (49). The junior forward has scored 961 career points, knocking on the door of 1,000.
Christina, Crushing It: After not scoring in double figures through her first six games, Christina Britter, a junior transfer from Northern Illinois, set or tied a career high in scoring in three straight games against Seattle U and Utah Valley. Britter currently leads Chicago State with 57 total rebounds.
Wynter in Chicago: With Chicago State shorthanded in its last home series against Tarleton, Wynter Webb stepped up to take primary ballhandling duties and tied a career-high, playing 39 minutes on February 13. Webb scored 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting and has now posted double-figures in four consecutive games.
It's Raining Threes: In Chicago State's February 13 matchup with Tarleton, the Cougars nailed each of their first six three-pointers. Nadia Thorman-McKey, Wynter Webb and Laura Segues each tallied treys to power the Cougars to a commanding start from the perimeter. Chicago State finished the afternoon 7-for-9 from three-point territory.
Tres for Segues: Freshman Laura Segues has drilled 10 three-pointers this season, leading the Cougars from beyond the perimeter. The Castellolí, Spain-native scored 13 points on January 23 against California Baptist, a career-high. All 13 points came in the second half, during which the Cougars outscored the unbeaten Lancers, 32-24.
Cleaning the Glass like Windex: Britter and Thorman-McKey have owned the offensive glass this season. The duo has coralled 47 offensive boards in 11 games.
Hey, I Know You: Associate Head Coach Curtis Loyd, now in his first season at Chicago State, served as an assistant at the University of Virginia, overlap- ping with current Cougars Head Coach Tiffany Sardin. Loyd coached on Debbie Ryan's staff at Virginia from 2004-09, while Sardin played for the Cavaliers from 2002-06.
In Charlotesville, Sardin powered the Cavaliers to a 71-53 overall record and back-to-back 20-win seasons as a junior and senior. Loyd last spent two season as head coach at Colorado State University-Pueblo, where he compiled a two-year record of 41-20 and, in his first season at the helm, led the Thunder-Wolves to the program's first-ever Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference regular season title and RMAC tournament championship.
No Sweat(er): Coach Tiffany Sardin was named winner of "Best Ugly Sweater" at the Chicago State Athletic Department's Zoom holiday party. Sardin's sweater included a full light show, dazzling the staff.
Complete Chicago State Game Notes
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