By ISU Sports Information
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Five players scored in double figures, and the Redbirds out-rebounded Missouri State 45-to-39, as the visiting Illinois State squad led wire-to-wire against Missouri State, securing the season sweep of the Bears with a 76-60 final score.
How It Happened
Illinois State jumped out quickly in the game, scoring the first five points of the game on a three-pointer from Madison Williams and a lay-in from Milik Yarbrough. The Redbirds would not trail again for the remainder of the first half, pushing to its first double-digit lead of the game on a Yarbrough three-pointer with 5:21 to play in the opening period. Missouri State fought back and climbed to within four with just over two and a half minutes left in the period; however, a 7-2 run to end the first half sent the Redbirds into the locker room with a 30-21 halftime lead.
The Redbirds came out firing out of the locker room, and out-scored the Bears 29-13 through the first 11 minutes of the second stanza, pushing ahead to a 25-point lead. Missouri State fought back, climbing back to within as few as 13; however, the hosts could not get any closer in the 16-point Missouri Valley Conference win.
Key Moment
Illinois State got the first five points of the game from Williams and Yarbrough, and never trailed again, the second consecutive game that the Redbirds did not trail.
Inside the Box Score
- Yarbrough, a day after earning his fourth MVC Newcomer of the Week honor, scored a game-high-tying 15 points while pulling down eight rebounds and dishing out six assists.
- Keyshawn Evans made 5-of-15 shots from the field, and 3-of-12 from long range en route to scoring 15 points while adding four rebounds and four assists.
- Taylor Bruninga scored 13 points, including 10 in the first half, making 5-of-7 field goals and 3-of-5 from three-point range.
- Madison Williams scored 12 points, including the first three of the game, as he added three rebounds.
- Phil Fayne scored 11 points, including making 3-of-4 from the charity stripe, while pulling down seven rebounds.
- David N’Diaye scored six points and pulled down a game-high-tying 10 rebounds for the Redbirds.
- Illinois State out-rebounded Missouri State 45-to-39, the third consecutive game the Redbirds have out-rebounded their opponents.
Stat of the Game
5: For the first time since last season, the Redbirds had five players reach double-figure scoring.
What’s Next
Illinois State returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 3, when the Redbirds host the Evansville Aces in a 3 p.m. tip-off at Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
