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Redbirds let one slip away, win it anyway
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By LDN staff
[DEC. 17, 2003]
Say what? ISU's
Redbirds held a six- to eight-point lead during the final minutes of
play last night in Redbird Arena over a
better-than-their-record-indicates Western Kentucky Hilltopper
quintet. That's when the cave-in occurred. And before the fight song
could even be cued, WKU had tied the score and we were headed for
overtime. The LDN was there along with 4,367 chilly fans who
suddenly got a lot colder.
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The Hilltoppers had dominated early
play with a host of humongous post players, led by the play of
320-pound Nigel Dixon. Remember, this team had several back from
last year's squad that gave Illinois a run for their money during
the NCAA's first round of action. Last night, however, ISU fought
back and took the halftime lead at 29-26. They slowly tried to pull
away but obviously could never really shake WKU.
The 'Birds were led by Marcus Arnold's
23, Trey Guidrey's 14 and the outstanding defensive play of
Lincoln's
Gregg Alexander,
who badly injured his shoulder during the contest. His swarming
defense inspired his teammates to holding the Hilltoppers to just 56
points in regulation.
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this article] |
WKU made their comeback while Alexander
was resting on the bench, with the Redbirds finally snatching a
66-65 victory from the jaws of defeat on two late Vince Greene free
throws.
With the
victory ISU now finds themselves at 4-3 on the season and will open
Missouri Valley League action Saturday night at home versus Northern
Iowa.
[LDN staff]
[Click here
for ISU news release on the game.]
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