Redbirds top Panthers in quarterfinal, face Wichita State Saturday

[March 09, 2013]  ST. LOUIS -- Tyler Brown netted a game-high 28 points, tying an Illinois State record of six 3-pointers at the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, and the No. 6 Redbirds (18-14) topped No. 3 Northern Iowa 73-65 Friday night at the Scottrade Center. The Redbirds advance to Saturday's semifinals, where for the second consecutive year, Illinois State will face No. 2 Wichita State.

Jackie Carmichael contributed 15 points along with a game-best 10 rebounds for his 15th double-double of the season and the 35th of his career. He also blocked five shots, which tied ISU's Valley tournament single-game mark. Three of his blocks came in the final two minutes. Johnny Hill and John Wilkins were both in double figures, with 11 points each. Northern Iowa also featured four players in double figures, with a 16-point effort by Marc Sonnen leading the way.

The Redbirds shot 45.8 percent from the field, compared with 41.1 percent by the Panthers, and ISU outrebounded Northern Iowa 37-32. ISU forced 14 Panther turnovers, contrasted with 11.

Illinois State outscored Northern Iowa 16-3 over the first four minutes to take the early lead. The Redbirds later pulled ahead by their largest margin, 26-11, on a Brown 3-pointer. However, the Panthers responded with a 16-2 run over the next 5:03 to pull within 28-27.

A layup by Jon Ekey increased ISU's lead to three, but Matt Bohannon netted a 3-pointer to tie the game at 30-30 with 3:26 remaining in the first half. Anthony James then gave the Panthers their first lead of the game on a runner. Sonnen netted a 3 with under a minute left to put UNI ahead 35-34 at halftime.

The Panthers stretched their lead on two free throws by Jake Koch to start the second half. However, Wilkins answered with a jumper and Carmichael later regained ISU's lead with a layup to put the Redbirds up 40-39. After both teams exchanged baskets, the Redbirds went on a 6-0 run to take a 60-50 lead at the 7:03 mark with a Carmichael dunk, followed by a block by Carmichael and a fast-break layup by Brown.

Northern Iowa responded with a 10-2 stretch over the next 2:51 to pull back within 62-60 with 3:53 remaining. But the Redbirds went on an 8-0 run to take a 70-60 advantage, and ISU hit seven of its eight final free throws to secure the quarterfinal victory.

The Redbirds have now beaten every team in the Valley this season except Wichita State. The Redbirds will have their chance Saturday, when ISU and the Shockers meet in the second semifinal matchup of the day, with tipoff slated for 4:05 p.m.

[Text from news release received from Illinois State University]