Record 3-point shooting leads 'Birds past UT-Arlington

[DEC. 4, 2006]  NORMAL -- The Illinois State men's basketball team was on fire from the perimeter, hitting a Redbird Arena record with 14 3-pointers, led by freshman Osiris Eldridge's four as part of his career-high 14 points off the bench, in the Redbirds' 86-61 victory over UT-Arlington on Saturday night. Eldridge wasn't the only story off the bench, as junior Levi Dyer, also in reserve, tied his career high with 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.

Eldridge and Dyer led a group of five Redbirds who scored in double figures as the team shot 53 percent from the field, including 14-of-27 from the 3-point stripe. Senior Roberto Fortes and junior Dom Johnson both scored 13 points with three treys each, while junior transfer Anthony Slack chipped in 10 points along with three rebounds and three blocks.

Along with the record-setting 3-point shooting, the Redbird defense also came through with a tremendous effort, forcing 27 turnovers, which resulted in 32 points.

The victory improved the Redbird record to 5-2 on the season. The win was the team's fifth straight, the longest streak in the Porter Moser era. The loss dropped the Mavericks to 3-3, despite the efforts of sophomore Anthony Vereen, who scored 17 points and grabbed four rebounds.

The two teams began the game trading shots and playing tough defense. Each team forced six turnovers in the first six minutes of the half. With ISU and UTA locked at a 16-16 stalemate with 11:20 left to play, the Redbirds' outside shooting heated up. Junior Boo Richardson, Eldridge, Fortes and Johnson all hit 3-point baskets during a 17-7 run that gave ISU its largest lead of the half, at 33-23, with 4:49 left to play.

The Mavericks cut the lead to 33-29 on a jumper by Richton Park native Brandon Long with 1:14 left in the half before Dyer connected on his second 3-pointer of the half to give the 'Birds a 36-29 lead at the intermission. Dyer set his season high for scoring in the first half by contributing 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting, including 2-of-3 from behind the arc.

For the half, the Redbirds shot 48 percent from the field, but the story was the team's 3-point shooting, where they were 8-of-17 from beyond the arc. The eight 3-point buckets made tied the Redbirds' season high, set four times, with the last in the victory over St. John's on Nov. 25. Joining Dyer with two 3-point bombs each were Fortes and Johnson.

As the second half began, the 'Birds continued to pour it on, going on a 14-0 run in the opening 4:12. During the run, Johnson and Fortes hit the team's season-high ninth and 10th 3-pointers, respectively, and Dilligard finished off the run with an authoritative slam from Fortes, giving ISU the 50-29 lead. The only drama left to unfold in the game for the hot-shooting 'Birds was who would hit the Redbird Arena record 14th 3-pointer after Eldridge hit the team's 13th with 8:14 left to play. Dyer set the record with his third of the game, giving ISU the 81-53 cushion with 2:29 left in the game.

The Redbird basketball team will conclude its three-game homestand at Redbird Arena on Tuesday against Miami of Ohio. Tipoff between the 'Birds and the RedHawks is set for 7:05 p.m.

[News release provided by John A. Sandberg, Illinois State University]

LDN sports sponsored by: