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Knight was one of three Redbirds who reached double-figures
in the winning effort, as ISU swept the regular-season series
versus BU for the first time since 2011-12. Illinois State
(16-11, 8-7 MVC) combined to shoot 44.2 percent from the field
while holding Bradley (8-20, 3-12 MVC) to 29.6 percent. Omari
Grier was the only Brave to tally double-digits, with 10 points.
Deontae Hawkins netted ISU’s first five points of the game, and
Knight scored the Redbirds’ next five to build a 10-5 advantage.
Knight’s points sparked a 14-3 run over 9:19, and Illinois State
took a 16-8 lead on a MiKyle McIntosh layup at the 7:36 mark.
ISU held Bradley without a field goal from 17:35 until 7:59, as
the Redbirds built an eight-point advantage.
Bradley pulled within 25-20 on a 3-pointer by Grier with 2:56
remaining, and ISU held on for a 28-22 halftime lead. Hawkins
led all first-half scorers with 10 points plus four rebounds, as
the Redbirds shot 39.3 percent from the field compared to BU’s
38.1 mark.
ISU started the second half on a 7-0 run, holding the Braves
without a field goal until the 12:57 mark. After the Redbirds
established a 25-22 advantage, Bradley answered with
seven-straight to pull within 35-29. A two-handed alley-oop dunk
by Reggie Lynch lifted Illinois State ahead, 40-30.
BU proceeded to trim the Redbird advantage to 40-34.on a pair of
free throws by Warren Jones with 7:35 remaining. After Illinois
State responded, Tramique Sutherland pulled the Braves back to
within six at the 5:18 mark. However, that was as close as the
Braves managed to get, as ISU outscored Bradley, 16-9, over the
final 4:39 to secure the victory.
Illinois State returns to Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena
Saturday, where the Redbirds will begin their final two-game
homestand of the regular season versus Loyola. Tipoff is
scheduled for 7 p.m., and tickets are available on
GoRedbirds.com, or by visiting or calling the ISU Athletics
Ticket Office at (309) 438-8000.
[John Twork, Illinois State
University]
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics,
tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird
merchandise, photos and more.
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