NORMAL, Ill. (Interstat) — A Missouri Valley Conference rematch with significant implications for the standings awaits Thursday when the Illinois State Redbirds host the Southern Illinois Salukis in women’s basketball. The game, scheduled for Feb. 26, 2026, at Redbird Arena, comes just 13 days after Southern Illinois (9-16, 4-10 MVC) dominated Illinois State 84-60 in Carbondale. That result snapped a three-game winning streak for the Redbirds (15-11, 8-6) and will undoubtedly fuel the home team’s desire for revenge as they look to solidify their position in the upper half of the conference. Illinois State, despite its superior record, has lost two of its last three, including a 73-62 home loss to Murray State on Sunday. Guard Trista Fayta leads the Redbirds, coming off an 18-point performance in that defeat. Her playmaking will be critical; she dished out 12 assists in a win over Evansville on Feb. 15 and had 11 in an overtime victory against Belmont. Southern Illinois has struggled since the teams’ last meeting, dropping three straight, most recently an 81-73 loss at Indiana State on Feb. 21. The Salukis will lean on forward Kayla Cooper, who was instrumental in their earlier win over Illinois State, scoring 17 points with three assists and two blocks. Cooper is averaging 12.1 points over her last seven games. The Redbirds have been strong at home this season, boasting a 10-3 record in Normal. Southern Illinois, conversely, is 3-9 on the road. Illinois State will aim to leverage that home-court advantage to split the season series and halt its recent skid, while the Salukis seek to reignite the form that produced their most lopsided conference win of the season.