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 Following back-to-back wins, the Redbirds are now 10-6 overall,
2-2 in the MVC and 3-2 on the road, while the Bears are 8-8 and 2-2
in the MVC. Illinois State shot 40.0 percent from the field compared
to 35.8 percent by MSU. The Redbirds outrebounded Missouri State,
39-29, and ISU earned a 15-7 advantage on second-chance points.
Bobby Hunter led three Redbirds in double-figures with 17 points,
while matching a career high with seven field goals on 7-for-8
shooting, plus a season-best five rebounds. Missouri State’s Tyler
McCullough netted 12 points to lead the Bears.
DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell returned to Illinois State’s lineup after
missing seven games due to injury. He scored 12 points, and MiKyle
McIntosh contributed 11. Reggie Lynch collected seven rebounds plus
four blocks and nine points. Lynch also tallied a career-best seven
free throws on eight attempts.
Illinois State went 3-for-3 from 3-point range and 2-for-2 at the
free throw line to start the game, as the Redbirds took a lead which
they did not relinquish following a McIntosh trifecta at the 16:57
mark. ISU used a 7-0 run to build an 18-7 advantage, and the
Redbirds held the Bears scoreless from 15:09 until 11:39.
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Missouri State responded with a 6-2 run to pull within seven points
at the 8:02 mark; however, ISU outscored the Bears, 25-10, over the
final eight minutes of the first half – including a Daishon Knight
3-pointer with three second remaining – to take a 49-27 halftime
advantage. ISU made its first 14 free throws before finally missing
in the first half.
The Bears started the second half on a 5-0 run to pull within 49-32
with 17:24 remaining. However, the Redbirds maintained a
double-digit advantage throughout the remainder of the game.
Now on a two-game winning streak, Illinois State continues its
two-game road trip Wednesday at Indiana State, with tipoff scheduled
for 6 p.m. CT.
[John Twork, Illinois State
University]
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