Redbird men’s basketball flocks past the Hawks of Quincy

Posted on November 22, 2017
Keyshawn Evans helped push the Redbirds past the Hawks with 17 points. (Photo courtesy File/WJBC)

By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL – Illinois State jumped out quickly and early against the Quincy Hawks on Wednesday evening, leading wire-to-wire in the 2017-18 home opener for the Redbirds.

How It Happened

Illinois State got three three-point baskets in the first two minutes of the game, two from Keyshawn Evans and one from Madison Williams, as the Redbirds took a 9-3 lead. Quincy twice cut the deficit to just two points, the last time coming with 14:25 to play, before Taylor Bruninga drained a three-pointer on the next possession, kick starting a 10-0 Redbird run. ISU led by as many as 16 in the second half, at 42-26; however, Quincy closed the second half on a 9-1 run, closing the gap to eight heading into the break at halftime at 43-35.

The hosts scored the first eight points of the second half, and 17 of the first 22 to jump ahead by 22 points, and the margin never dipped below 20 the rest of the way in the 29-point Illinois State victory.

Key Moment

Bruninga’s three-pointer with 14:16 to play in the first half kicked off a 10-0 Illinois State run, pushing a two point Redbird lead to 12.

Inside the Box Score

  • Four players reached double-figures in the scoring column, led by Phil Fayne’s 19 points, as he hit 8-of-12 shots from the field.
  • Evans continued his torrid start to the season by scoring 17 points, making 7-of-12 shots from the field and 3-of-5 from long range. He also dished out a game-high six assists in the win.
  • Williams had his second double-digit scoring effort of the season with 10 points while dishing out a career-high five assists.
  • Bruninga recorded his second double-digit scoring performance this season with 10 points, while narrowly missing a double-double with a career-high nine rebounds.
  • William Tinsley recorded career-highs in points (nine) and rebounds (10), as he also narrowly missed his first collegiate double-double.
  • Walk-on Luke Litwiller made three three-point baskets in the evening, scoring nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field.
  • Illinois State had 20 assists against just nine turnovers in the game, while forcing Quincy into 15 turnovers, seven of those coming via steals.
  • The Redbirds made more than half of their shots for the third time this season in five total games, converting on 33-of-64 from the field (51.6 percent), while going 14-of-29 for the second time this season from beyond the arc (along with Florida Gulf Coast).
  • Isaac Gassman’s six points represented a career-high.
  • Matt Hein also had a career-high, and also with six points.

Stat of the Game

14: Illinois State made 14 three-point baskets, which is tied for the fourth-most three-point field goals in a game in Redbird Arena history.

What’s Next
The Redbirds return to action on Saturday, November 25, when the team hosts the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, who are 3-2 on the season, and coming off of a 107-36 victory over Toccoa Falls on November 20.

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