NORMAL — A first-half stretch of cold shooting saddled the Illinois State women’s basketball team with an eight-point deficit that was quickly erased.

A second-half Redbird shooting swoon extended much longer and caused irreversible damage.

ISU missed 13 consecutive shots over a span of 10:33 as the University of Illinois motored by for a 62-51 nonconference victory Tuesday before a Redbird Arena crowd of 2,018.

“We’re disappointed, absolutely disappointed,” ISU coach Robin Pingeton said. “I think sometimes when you want something so bad, you do lock up as an athlete. You end up slow to loose balls, and your legs are not going as fast as you want them to.”

The Redbirds, who shot 25 percent while scoring just 20 second-half points, slipped to 2-2.

“We shot for a horrible percentage. We just weren’t really playing the way we have been,” said senior guard Maggie Krick. “I really don’t know (why). It’s a great opportunity we let slip.”

ISU trailed 17-9 but closed a lackluster first half by scoring eight points over the final 90 seconds. The Redbirds took a 31-24 lead into halftime after a Hannah Spanich 3-pointer from the corner at the buzzer.

“We had some really good energy those last few minutes,” said Krick, who led ISU with 17 points. “I don’t know why we wouldn’t come out (after halftime) with that. We just didn’t get the job done.”

The Redbirds held their final lead at 42-40 on a short Nicolle Lewis jumper with 11:48 remaining. By the time ISU snapped out of a 2-for-20 shooting famine, Illinois (4-1) held an 11-point lead.

“Illinois State played hard the first half,” Illini coach Jolette Law said. “The second half I had to challenge my team to play at another level and match Illinois State’s intensity. They responded to my challenge. We dictate on defense. The second half our kids did just that.”

Illinois rallied behind 5 of 8 second-half 3-point shooting. Jenna Smith paced the Illini with 19 points and nine rebounds. Lacey Simpson chipped in 14 points.

Shala Jackson scored 11 and Lewis 10 for ISU, which finished at 31 percent (18 of 58) from the floor.

“I felt like we had some good looks. It was just one of those nights,” said Pingeton. “We had several opportunities where we were not getting to the glass the way we needed to. Defensively, I felt like we did a good job.”

Senior Ashleen Bracey, ISU’s second-leading scorer through three games, missed all 12 of her shots and did not score until two late free throws.

“I’ve got a ton of confidence in her. She’s in the gym 24-7,” Pingeton said. “It happens to the best of the best. You just have those nights.”

Bracey and Lewis grabbed eight rebounds each as ISU held a 38-37 edge on the boards.