Hot second-half shooting propels 'Birds to 62-50 win

[NOV. 30, 2005]  NORMAL -- At times Tuesday night's basketball game between Illinois State and Grambling State seemed destined for a low-scoring and sloppy outcome for both teams. However, a second-half scoring surge by the Redbirds, 3-1, combined with 37 percent shooting from the field for the Tigers, 2-2, led to an exciting finish as ISU defeated Grambling State 62-50 Tuesday night at Redbird Arena.

Defense was once again the story for Illinois State in the first half, as the Redbirds held Grambling to just 16 points and limited the Tigers to 23.3 percent shooting from the field in the opening half. The Tigers were the first to get on the board, though, when Donte Gordon scored on a free throw one minute into the game. However, it did not take the Redbirds long to score, as Greg Dilligard answered with a layup 20 seconds later to get the scoring started for ISU.

After trading baskets, ISU went up 10-6 on a Dilligard dunk but soon went cold, as the 'Birds did not score for nearly five minutes and allowed Grambling to eventually take the lead on a layup by Jamal Breaux with 12:03 left in the first half. ISU got the lead back quickly after consecutive baskets by Dilligard gave the Redbirds a 16-14 edge with 9:27 left. From there, the Redbird defense clamped down and gave up just two points for the rest of the half, taking a 26-16 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Dilligard led the Redbird attack in the first half, shooting 6-for-8 from the field for 12 points and grabbing six rebounds. Dana Ford and Nedu Onyeuku chipped in four points each, and Khalif Ford added five assists. Andre Ratliff led the Tigers with five points.

Grambling State came out inspired in the second half, going on an 8-2 run to start the half. Anthony Williams had five points to spark the Tiger run to within two points of the 'Birds at 28-26 with 17:13 left in the game. However, the Redbirds answered with a 16-2 run to take control once again. Dana Ford sparked the run with nine points, eventually leading to his career-high 16 points.

ISU was ahead from then on, leading by as many as 16 points at one point. Senior Neil Plank scored all of his 11 points in the second half, and Dilligard finished one rebound short of a double-double, with a game- and career-high 18 points and nine rebounds.

Grambling State had three players in double figures. Williams led the way with 15 points, Ratliff added 13, and Brion Rush chipped in 11.

The Redbirds return to action Saturday for the third game of their current five-game homestand. ISU will face Wisconsin-Green Bay in a nonconference matchup set to tip off at 4:05 p.m. at Redbird Arena.

[Heather Freehill, assistant media relations director, Illinois State University] 

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