By ISU Sports Information
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Milik Yarbrough scored 28 points, Phil Fayne 17, and Keyshawn Evans 16 – including the last seven of the game – as the trio led Illinois State to a 72-66 win over the Evansville Aces on Dec. 23.
How It Happened
Evansville jumped out quickly, scoring the first four points of the game, and kept the lead for the majority of the opening half. The Aces’ lead grew to as many as 10 with 6:44 left to play in the opening period. Trailing by six, the Redbirds ran off nine straight points on three pointers from Isaac Gassman, Yarbrough, and Evans. Evansville tied the game with a three-point play with 24 seconds left before Yarbrough sent the Redbirds into the locker room with a three-point, 36-33 advantage.
The second half saw eight lead changes and eight tie scores, with the teams battling back and forth for the entire 20 minutes. The largest lead by either team in the half came when Evansville jumped ahead by seven points at 55-48 with 11:14 to play; however, the Redbirds scored the next six to close the gap to one. Trailing by one with 2:26 to play, Evans closed the game strong for Illinois State. The junior drained a three-pointer with 2:15 to play to give the ‘Birds a two-point lead, and another long-range make with 19 seconds left put the margin into two possessions, while converting on a free throw with nine seconds left to score the game’s final seven points, and securing an Illinois State win.
Key Moment
Evans’ three-pointer with 2:15 left in the game gave the Redbirds a lead they would not give up for the remainder of the game, and kicked off a 7-0 Evans run to end the contest.
Inside the Box Score
- Yarbrough scored a game-high 28 points, making 8-of-14 shots from the field, and all nine of his free throw tries.
- Fayne scored 17 points, while pulling down a game-high seven rebounds.
- Evans was perfect from long range, making all five of his tries, while scoring 16 points with two assists.
- Illinois State out-rebounded Evansville 29-to-26, the fifth time this season that Illinois State has out-rebounded its opponent.
- Matt Hein dished out a career-high three assists, as he and Yarbrough tied for the team lead in the category.
- Taylor Bruninga scored five points, including making two free throws, remaining perfect on the season from the charity stripe.
Stat of the Game
1-for-10: Illinois State held Evansville, the NCAA’s leader in three-point percentage, to 1-of-10 from long range.
What’s Next
Illinois State hosts its Missouri Valley Conference opener on Sunday, Dec. 31, when the Indiana State Sycamores make their way to Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena for a 3 p.m. tip-off.
