NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Redbirds dropped its post-Thanksgiving battle to the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, falling in overtime 64-62. The game was Illinois State’s first overtime game since January 4 of last season against Missouri State.

How It Happened

Illinois State jumped ahead quickly in the game, leading 6-2 following three points each from Phil Fayne and Keyshawn Evans. The Redbirds’ lead grew to as many as seven at 19-12 halfway through the first half following a three-pointer from Jerron Martin. Charleston Southern battled back, and took a two-point lead with 5:09 to play, capping a 12-3 run by the visitors. Illinois State battled back, and took a one-point, 34-33 lead into the locker room at halftime on an Evans jumper with a handful of seconds remaining on the clock.

The Buccaneers came out of the halftime break on fire, out-scoring Illinois State 11-2 over the first five minutes of the second stanza, climbing ahead to an eight point lead. The eight-point lead stood through the next five minutes, before Illinois State got three-pointers from Evans and Madison Williams to climb within two with 7:32 to play. The Redbirds then used a 7-0 run, capped by a Williams dunk and an Evans jumper to push Illinois State to a two-point lead. The teams traded baskets down the stretch, with Charleston Southern getting the final basket with 31 seconds to play to send the two teams into an extra period.

In overtime, both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net in the early goings, before CSU’s Javis Howard struck first in the overtime period, and the Buccaneers would not trail again. Illinois State twice cut the deficit to just one, including the final time on a pair of Fayne free throws; however, the Redbirds could not get over the hump in the two-point loss.

Key Moment

Madison Williams’ steal and dunk with 5:22 to play in regulation tied the score for the first time since just after halftime, and brought the crowd of 3,831 to its feet, forcing a Charleston Southern timeout.

Inside the Box Score

• Evans continued his torrid start to the 2017-18 season with 26 points on 8-of-20 shooting from the field and 5-of-14 from long range. He has scored at least 17 points and made at least three three-point field goals in every game this season.
• Fayne recorded his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds, while also blocking a team-season-high four shots in the losing effort.
• Williams scored eight points in 32 minutes of action, making 2-of-5 from long range.
• William Tinsley pulled down nine rebounds – one off of his career-high – while scoring four points in the game.

Stat of the Game

21-16 (+5): After getting out-rebounded by nine rebounds in the first half, Illinois State corrected its course in the second half, and out-rebounded Charleston Southern by five in the second half.

What’s Next
Illinois State comes back to the hardwood for a game on Wednesday, November 29, when the team travels to Reno, Nevada, to take on the undefeated Wolf Pack of Nevada in a 9 p.m. (CT) tip-off. The game can be heard on the Illinois State Radio Network, with Dick Luedke and Mike Matthews providing the call from the Lawlor Events Center.