By Austin Duncan
NORMAL- Devaughn Akoon-Purcell went coast to coast with 5.5 seconds to play to give the Redbirds a 67-66 nonconference home opening win over Morehead State.
The Redbirds trailed by as much as nine points in the second half before they went on a run sparked by sophomore forward Deontae Hawkins. Hawkins hit a jump shot with 1:08 remaining in the game to give the ISU a 64-63 lead.
On Morehead State’s next possession Brent Arrington missed a jumper and Hawkins secured the rebound. The Eagles elected to foul Paris Lee on the next possession.
Lee missed the first shot and hit the second after it bounced off the front of the rim and back board, giving the Redbirds a 65-63 lead with 23 seconds to play.
Morehead State inbounded and found guard Miguel Dicent in the corner who hit a three to give the Eagles a 66-65 lead with under six seconds remaining. ISU head coach Dan Muller called a time out.
With 5.5 seconds, the Redbirds called on junior Tony Wills to inbound the ball. Wills found Akoon-Purcell just before half court, and Akoon-Purcell was able to dribble past three Eagle defenders and score the game winning basket.
Akoon-Purcell finished with a game high 23 points on 9-13 shooting while making 4-6 free throws. Hawkins had a crucial 15 points including 3-3 from beyond the three point arch.
Head coach Dan Muller said the game changer was freshman forward David Ndiaye who guarded the inbound on Morehead State’s last effort. Ndiaye finished with two points, making his only shot, and two crucial blocks on second chance attempts by Morehead State.
No Redbird collected more than four rebounds as ISU was outrebounded 37-27.
Guard Paris Lee scored nine points, had one turnover, and a game high seven assists.
Morehead State was led in scoring by Xavier Moon’s 18 points while DeJuan Marrero added 16 points. The only other Eagle in double figures was Corban Collins who fouled out with 11 points.
The Redbirds improve to 1-1 on the season, as Morehead State falls to 1-1.
This was the first of ISU’s three home games this week. The Redbirds play host to South Dakota State on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Houston Baptist at 7 p.m. Redbird Preview will begin an hour before both games on WJBC and WJBC.COM.
