Illinois State falls at Wichita State

[January 17, 2013]  WICHITA, Kan. -- Jackie Carmichael scored 22 points and Tyler Brown grabbed a career-high nine rebounds, but Illinois State fell to Wichita State 74-62 Wednesday night at Charles Koch Arena. The Redbirds (9-9, 0-6 Missouri Valley Conference) forced 16 Wichita State turnovers, but the Shockers (16-2, 5-1 MVC) held Illinois State to 32.8 percent shooting in the loss.

Four Redbirds reached double figures: Carmichael, 22; Brown, 14; Bryant Allen, 11; and John Wilkins, 11. Cleanthony Early led Wichita State with 16 points.

Wichita State outscored the Redbirds 10-2 to start the game. However, Illinois State pulled within 15-12 with an 8-3 run, capped by a Carmichael jump shot. But that was as close as ISU got in the first half, as the Shockers ended the first half on a 7-2 run to take a 31-20 halftime advantage. Carmichael led all first-half scorers with 12 points.

After ISU and WSU exchanged baskets to start the second half, the Redbirds went on a 6-0 run to pull within 38-31 with 13:23 to play. Illinois State held the Shockers without a field goal from 15:49 until 10:57. The jumper by Early that stopped the field goal drought propelled Wichita State on a 14-4 lead to take a 53-35 advantage at the 7:53 mark.

Illinois State put together a final 11-2 push to pull within 66-59 with 1:50 remaining. Allen scored two 3-pointers, Brown had one 3, and Wilkins netted a jumper during the stretch. That was as close as the Redbirds got, as ISU fell 74-62.

Illinois State remains on the road for a Sunday night Valley matchup at Southern Illinois. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the game airing live on ESPNU.

[Text from file received from Illinois State University]