Redbirds run past San Francisco on Saturday

[December 02, 2013]  SAN FRANCISCO — Six Redbirds reached double figures in a single game for the first time since 2008 as Illinois State beat host San Francisco 90-76 Saturday night to finish 2-1 at the USF Golden Gate Challenge. ISU (3-4) teamed up for a season-best 22 assists, while forcing 19 USF (5-4) turnovers.

Bobby Hunter, Paris Lee and Nick Zeisloft all contributed career-high efforts with 15, 15 and 14 points, respectively. Zach Lofton, Daishon Knight and Reggie Lynch each reached double figures as well, with 15, 12 and 10 points, respectively. Knight also collected a career-best eight rebounds plus six assists and three steals to lead ISU, while Zeisloft matched a career high with seven boards.

Tim Derksen led four Dons in double figures with 18 points, and Kruize Pinkins grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. Both teams shot well, with USF earning a 50 percent mark from the field and Illinois State shooting 47.7 percent. The Redbirds were also 13 for 27 (48.1 percent) from beyond the arc, while the Dons were limited to 14.8 percent.

ISU led from the beginning, as Lofton gave Illinois State a 2-0 advantage before tipoff by hitting a pair of free throws that were awarded after USF was charged a technical for dunking during pregame warm-ups. Lofton proceeded to net eight of ISU’s first 10 points, but the Redbirds trailed by as many as six points early. However, Illinois State manufactured a key 11-3 lead to gain a 21-19 advantage with 10:28 remaining in the first half.

A three-point play by John Jones later capped a 7-2 run that increased Illinois State’s advantage to 28-24 with 3:36 remaining in the first. ISU went on to establish a six-point halftime lead thanks to a dunk by Lynch with 10 seconds remaining, giving the Redbirds a 34-28 halftime advantage.

Illinois State started the second half with four consecutive 3-pointers, as ISU established a permanent double-digit margin on a Zeisloft 3-pointer at the 19-minute mark. Despite a 7-0 run by the Dons that allowed them to pull within 53-43 with 12:14 remaining, the Redbirds responded and ultimately built a 24-point advantage with 3:31 to play. ISU went on to win by 14.

After finishing 2-1 at the USF Golden Gate Challenge, the Redbirds return to Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena for four out of the next five games, starting Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. versus Chicago State. Tickets can be purchased by calling the ticket office at Redbird Arena at 309-438-8000 or by clicking here (GoRedbirds.com).

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Box score   (PDF)

[Text from news release received from Illinois State University]