Redbird’s crush the Crusaders in late-night MVC battle

Posted on January 28, 2018
Illinois State junior Phil Fayne led the way for the Redbirds scoring 24 points in the win. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)

By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL, Ill. – In the first meeting between the two teams since 1981, the Illinois State Redbirds never trailed, topping the Valparaiso Crusaders 76-65 on Saturday evening.

How It Happened

Illinois State got on the board first with a Madison Williams three-pointer, and never trailed again in the game. A tip-in by Milik Yarbroughput the lead to 5-0. Valparaiso closed to within four at 24-20 with 4:30 to play in the first half, before the Redbirds ended the period on an 11-3 run to take an 11-point, 34-23 lead into the locker room at halftime.

After the Crusaders dipped their deficit to single digits at 38-29, ISU ran off seven straight points on a three-pointer by Keyshawn Evans, a jumper from Phil Fayne, and a jumper from William Tinsley. The Redbird advantage grew to as many as 19 with 6:43 to play in the game, and never dipped into single digits as Illinois State cruised to the 76-65 victory.

Key Moment

With 18:25 to play in the game, Madison picked up a defensive rebound, and went coast-to-coast with a thrilling dunk that brought the crowd of 5,024 to its feet, and gave Illinois State a 13-point lead.

Inside the Box Score

Fayne tied a career-high with 24 points, making 11-of-12 shots – the second time this season he went 11-of-12 in a game this season. He also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, missing a double-double by one rebound for the second consecutive game.

  • Yarbrough scored 17 points with eight rebounds, three assists, and a game-high seven rebounds. He made 7-of-12 shots in the game, and 3-of-4 from the free throw line.
  • Evans made 3-of-9 from beyond the arc and 8-of-9 from the charity stripe en route to scoring 17 points.
  • Williams scored seven points while pulling down a career-high seven rebounds.
  • Tinsley pulled down seven rebounds and scored six points with a block and an assist
  • The game was the third time this season where Illinois State never trailed, with the other two times coming against South Carolina on Nov. 15 and against Quincy on Nov. 22.

Stat of the Game

+13: Illinois State out-rebounded Valparaiso 44-to-29 in the game, as the teams’ +13 rebounding margin is the highest of the season.

What’s Next

The Redbirds return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 30, when the team travels to Springfield, Missouri, to take on the Missouri State Bears in a 7 p.m. tip-off.

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