Guidry, Gordon combine for 50
as 'Birds ground Skyhawks    

[NOV. 29, 2004]  NORMAL -- Trey Guidry matched a career high with 27 points and Lorenzo Gordon chipped in 23 as Illinois State pounded Tennessee-Martin 80-51 Saturday afternoon at Redbird Arena. Illinois State has now won three consecutive games for the first time since 2002 and is off to its first 4-1 start since 2000-01.

ISU enjoyed the friendly rims of Redbird Arena, as they shot 32-of-67 (.478) from the field, including a 12-of-24 showing from beyond the arc. The Redbirds also dished out over 20 assists for the second consecutive game.

Illinois State (4-1) came out strong as they rode the hot hands of Guidry and Gordon to a 17-4 lead to open the game. The two each had seven of the Redbirds' first 17 points as they combined for 17 first-half points.

The Skyhawks (1-2) would cut the deficit to five, 23-18, with just over eight minutes to go; however, the 'Birds finished the first frame the way they started, closing out the half on a 9-0 run to take a 38-23 lead into the locker room.

Tennessee-Martin would get the lead down to 13 early in the second half, but a 13-3 Illinois State run capped by a Guidry 3 gave the 'Birds a 23-point advantage and closed the door on any thoughts of a Skyhawk comeback. The Redbirds would stretch their lead up to as many as 29 during the second half.

Illinois State will return to action on Tuesday night, when they host the Flames of Illinois-Chicago at 7:05 at Redbird Arena.

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

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