By ISU Sports Information
NORMAL, Ill. – The 125th all-time meeting between Illinois State and Bradley lived up to the standards of the historic rivalry, as there were seven tie scores and four lead changes, with the Redbirds using an 8-3 run late to pull away for a 70-57 victory on Wednesday evening.
How It Happened
Phil Fayne struck first out of the gate, giving the Redbirds a quick 2-0 lead. The teams went back and forth as all seven tie scores and four lead changes coming in the first 20 minutes of action. The final lead change of the half came when Elijah Clarance drained a three-pointer with 4:40 to play, giving the Redbirds the advantage. After a lay-in tied the score, Illinois State went on a 4-0 run, and never trailed again in the game. Bradley closed the gap to one with 1:45 to play, but a jumper from Keyshawn Evans, a free throw from Matt Hein, and a three-pointer from William Tinsley sent Illinois State into the locker room with a seven-point, 29-22 lead.
In the second half the margin reached double-digits with 16:22 to play, and the Redbird advantage never sunk below five in the second half. A 6-0 Illinois State run turned a five-point advantage to 11, and grew to as many as 14 late in the game, in the 13-point Redbird win.
Key Moment
A steal with a four-point lead with eight seconds left in the first half turned into a three-pointer from Tinsley, sending the Redbirds into the locker room with the momentum of a 6-0 run.
Inside the Box Score
- Milik Yarbrough scored a game-high 20 points, while pulling down a season-high 11 rebounds. He made 12-of-12 of his free throw attempts, and had three assists against no turnovers.
- Evans scored 11 points, making 4-of-10 shots from the field, and had three assists and three rebounds.
- Daouda N’Diaye pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds, while scoring eight points and blocking two shots.
- Fayne made 3-of-6 shots from the field, scoring eight points.
- Hein scored eight points, making 2-of-6 from the field, 1-of-2 from long range, with three assists and three rebounds.
- Illinois State committed just nine turnovers in the game, while giving out 11 assists on 22 made field goals.
Stat of the Game
12: N’Diaye grabbed a team-best 12 rebounds, including five on the offensive end.
What’s Next
The Redbirds take to the road on Saturday, Jan. 20, when the team travels to Terre Haute, Indiana, to take on the Sycamores of Indiana State in a 1 p.m. tip-off.
