Dilligard honored by league office    

[DEC. 21, 2004]  ST. LOUIS -- Not only did the performance by Illinois State sophomore Greg Dilligard at Loyola on Saturday earn high praise from head coach Porter Moser, but he was also honored by the league office Monday when he was named the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week.

Dilligard tossed in 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting en route to his first career double-double in the win at Loyola. He collected a game-high and career-best-tying 11 rebounds, including a key offensive board off his own missed free throw with five minutes left in game.

But where Dilligard really left his mark on the Ramblers was his defense, led by a career-high seven blocked shots, including five in the second half. None was bigger than his block with 1:12 remaining in the game, preventing Loyola from forcing the sixth tie of the half and enabling the Redbirds to secure the victory from the foul line. He also had three steals.

In the post-game press conference, Moser legitimized Dilligard's effort by stating that it was "the best defensive performance he had ever been around as a coach."

Dilligard and the Redbirds return to action on Thursday when they open league play at Southern Illinois. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

[Todd Kober, assistant athletics director, media relations,
Illinois State University]

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