Brown and Carmichael net double-doubles, but ISU falls at Utah State

[February 25, 2013]  LOGAN, Utah -- Tyler Brown recorded his first career double-double and netted his second game of 30-plus points this season, but Illinois State still fell 80-71 in its Ramada Worldwide BracketBusters matchup with Utah State on Saturday night at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.

Jackie Carmichael also recorded a double-double, with 20 points and 10 rebounds, as the duo combined for 77.5 percent of ISU's total offense. Brown scored 35 points and grabbed 10 boards. Bryant Allen chipped in eight points and a game-high five assists. Jarred Shaw led a balanced Utah State scoring attack, as he was one of four Aggies to reach double figures, with 16 points.

The Redbirds (16-13) finish the BracketBusters series with a 7-4 record, including a 2-4 mark in road contests. Illinois State will return to Missouri Valley Conference competition on Wednesday at home against Missouri State.

ISU was held to 36.9 percent shooting from the field, including 33.3 percent in the first half, while Utah State (19-7) shot 51.8 percent in the game and 58.6 percent in the second half.

Illinois State made eight first-half 3-pointers on 8-for-18 shooting to trail 36-32 at halftime. In fact, the Redbirds did not score a two-point field goal until Allen netted a jumper at the 1:27 mark. Brown finished the first half with a game-best 15 points on 5-for-9 (55.6 percent) 3-point shooting. He set the tone early, hitting two 3-pointers to help put the Redbirds up 10-6 five minutes into the game.

Utah State pulled within 13-10 with 14:33 remaining in the first half, before the Redbirds went on an 8-0 run to take a 21-10 advantage, their largest of the game, at the 12:31 mark. But Utah State proceeded to outscore ISU 13-0 to pull in front 23-21 with 8:16 remaining. The two teams exchanged baskets to end the half, with the Aggies taking a four-point lead into the intermission.

Illinois State opened the second half on a 6-0 run to take a 38-36 advantage with a layup by Brown followed by back-to-back buckets by Carmichael. However, Utah State responded with five unanswered points to permanently take the lead. The Aggies established their largest margin at the two-minute mark, with two free throws by TeNale Roland, which increased Utah State's lead to 11 points. ISU pulled within eight on a 3-pointer by Allen with 55 seconds remaining, but that was as close as the Redbirds got, as the Aggies held on for the 80-71 victory.

The Redbirds will return to Doug Collins Court on Wednesday for Senior Night against Missouri State. It will also be Fan Appreciation Night, with upper-bowl tickets available for $5 by calling 309-438-8000, by purchasing them on GoRedbirds.com or by visiting the ticket office at Redbird Arena.

Brown needs fan votes

Senior guard Tyler Brown's lead in the first round of the State Farm Dark Horse Dunker competition is down to 4 percent, with first-round voting ending Monday. He currently has 52 percent of the vote, while his competitor, Benedict College's Tydran Beaty, has 48 percent.

For Brown to move on to the "Elite Eight" of the contest, fans must vote, once a day, by visiting the official Facebook page of the competition: facebook.com/CollegeSlam. If Brown wins the entire competition, he will participate in the Denny's Slam Dunk Competition at the State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships in Atlanta, Ga., on April 4 at 6 p.m. CST on ESPN.

[Text from news release received from Illinois State University]