Preview: Indiana State Sycamores at Illinois State Redbirds NORMAL, Ill. (Interstat) — Two Missouri Valley Conference women’s basketball teams seeking momentum will meet Monday when the Illinois State Redbirds host the Indiana State Sycamores at Redbird Arena. Both teams enter the non-conference matchup on losing streaks. Indiana State (4-7) has dropped three straight, including an 89-68 home loss to Old Dominion on Dec. 22. Illinois State (5-6) last played on Dec. 14, falling 85-44 at Nebraska. The Sycamores will look to guard Da’Naria Washington to facilitate the offense. Washington dished out seven assists in the loss to Old Dominion, part of a recent stretch where she has averaged 5.3 assists over her last three games. She will need to help generate scoring beyond forward Kayla Smith (16 points, 9 rebounds against ODU) and guard Tierney Kelsey, who scored 21 in that contest. Illinois State counters with guard Kya Hurt, who is coming off an 18-point performance at Nebraska, the team’s highest individual scoring output in its last three games. The Redbirds have shown an ability to defend at home, holding Eastern Illinois to 46 points in a win on Dec. 7. Indiana State’s offense has struggled during its skid, allowing an average of 100.3 points per game in the three losses. Illinois State’s offense has also sputtered, failing to reach 60 points in three of its last four contests. This game serves as a final tune-up before both teams open Missouri Valley Conference play in early January. The Redbirds hold a slim edge in the overall season record, but the Sycamores will aim to break their slide and find consistency on the road. Tipoff is set for Monday, Dec. 29, at Redbird Arena.