Redbirds flock past the Flyers in exhibition win

Posted on November 5, 2017

The Redbirds who were lead by Milik Yarbrough will start the Regular season on Saturday at Florida Gulf Coast. (Photo courtesy File/WJBC)

 

By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State opened the defense of its Missouri Valley Conference regular season crown with a 79-52 exhibition win over Lewis on Sunday afternoon.
How It Happened
William Tinsley got things started for the Redbirds with a three-pointer on the game’s first possession. The teams fought back and forth for the first 14 minutes of the game, as Lewis held a narrow 21-20 lead with 6:12 to play in the opening period. Illinois State answered with a 15-3 run over the next four minutes, and the Redbirds took a 38-29 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Illinois State scored the first 14 points of the second half, as the Redbirds held the Flyers scoreless for the first 5:37 of the second half, pushing the hosts to a 23-point lead, and cruising the rest of the way in the 27-point victory.

Key Moment

William Tinsley hit a three-point basket with 4:31 to play in the first half – his third made three-pointer of the game – sparking a 12-0 Illinois State run to give the hosts a 12-point lead, one they would not give up for the remainder of the game.

Inside the Box Score

  • Malik Yarbrough, in his first action in an Illinois State uniform, scored a game-high 25 points, making 8-of-10 shots from the field, while also pulling down eight rebounds.
  • William Tinsley scored 17 points, making five three-point baskets on seven tries.
  • Phil Fayne scored 12 points, hitting 4-of-10 shots and pulling down six rebounds.
  • Taylor Bruninga scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds.
  • Keyshawn Evans dished out a team-high four assists, as Illinois State had 13 total assists on 25 made baskets.
  • Jerron Martin scored eight points with three assists and two steals.
  • Illinois State made 25-of-52 shots from the field (48.1%), and 12-of-29 (41.4%) from long range.

Stat of the Game
+13 – Illinois State out-rebounded Lewis 32-to-19 in the game. The Redbirds have won each of their last 15 games when they out-rebound their opponents.

What’s Next
The Redbirds open the 2017-18 regular season on Saturday, November 11, when the team travels to Fort Myers, Florida, to take on Florida Gulf Coast University in a noon (CT) tip-off.

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