ISU Tops Ball State for Second Straight Road Win

[December 24, 2007]  MUNCIE, Ind. -- Redshirt sophomore Dinma Odiakosa tallied his first career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, and senior guard Boo Richardson had 16 points (7-of-8 shooting) and six assists against zero turnovers to lead Illinois State's men's basketball team (8-3) to a 65-49 win at Ball State (0-11) Saturday at John E. Worthen Arena. The win was ISU's second consecutive on the road.

Osiris Eldridge (15 points) joined Odiakosa and Richardson in double figures. Ball State was led by Rashaun McLemore's 17 points on a 7-of-11 shooting effort.

Illinois State broke an early 4-4 tie with a 7-4 spurt and took an 11-8 lead with 11:46 remaining at the first media timeout. Eldridge and Richardson combined for eight points in the stretch. Anthony Slack picked up two early fouls in the opening 3 1/2 minutes and was sent to the bench for the remainder of the stanza.

Alex Rubin came off the bench for six minutes in the ensuing stretch and hit a 3-pointer to help the Redbirds build a 16-12 advantage. After the Cardinals cut the lead to 18-15, Illinois State went on a quick 7-0 run and built its first double-digit (25-15) lead of the game. Odiakosa had a layup, Richardson scored in transition, and Levi Dyer contributed a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Ball State cut the lead to eight (25-17) one possession later, but Richardson's six-footer in the paint with one second remaining gave the Redbirds a 27-17 lead.

Illinois State opened the second half on an 8-2 spurt and took its largest lead of 16 (35-19) with 17:14 remaining. Ball State was forced into its second-to-last timeout. Eldridge had four points, while Richardson and Dom Johnson each contributed field goals in the spree. The Redbirds held a double-digit advantage for the ensuing eight minutes, before Ball State trimmed ISU's lead to eight (42-34) after stringing together a 7-0 run.

But Dyer answered with a 3-pointer from the corner, and Richardson converted a steal and bucket to extend ISU's lead back to double digits at 47-36. ISU did not allow the Cardinals to get any closer than 13 points for the remainder of the game, eventually building as large as an 18-point advantage down the stretch.

ISU held a 38-26 rebounding advantage, outshot the Cardinals 48.1 percent to 38.9 percent and scored 26 points in the paint.

Illinois State will have six days off before opening Missouri Valley Conference play at Creighton on Dec. 29. Tipoff from Qwest Center Omaha is set for 7:05 p.m.

[Text from file received from Brett McWethy, assistant media relations director, Illinois State University]