By Austin Duncan
LEXINGTON, Ky- Nearly a week ago, the Illinois State Redbirds fell to the No. 2 team in the county, the result was the same Monday night, falling to No. 1 Kentucky 75-63 at Rupp Arena.
The Redbirds got off to a quick start holding a 4-0 lead out of the gate. This forced UK’s head John Calipari to call a time out just 1:14 into the game.
Illinois State continued to stay hot, expanding its lead to 7-1 before Kentucky went on a 12-5 run to tie the game at 13 at the 13:01 mark of the first half.
Kentucky took its first lead of the game on a pair of free throws from Jamal Murray to lead 19-17 with 8:41 to play in the first half.
The Wildcats expanded its lead to four before ISU senior guard Devaughn Akoon-Purcell buried a three to pull ISU within one. The difference between the two teams was never more than three either way leading to halftime.
Kentucky scored its last points of the half on a Charles Matthews free throw.
The Redbirds defense held tough, forcing a turnover with 8.6 seconds to play. Akoon-Purcell took the ball coast to coast to tie the game at 31 headed into the half.
The No. 1 team in the nation came out hot out of the locker room beginning on a 7-3 run.
ISU sophomore forward Mikyle McIntosh made a three pointer at the 17:58 mark in the second half to cut ISU’s defect to two. That would be the closest ISU would get as Kentucky went on several runs to expand its lead to as much as 16.
The Redbirds were plagued with foul trouble throughout the game. Junior point guard Paris Lee and freshman forward Roland Griffin both fouled out. Senior guards Justin McCloud and Akoon-Purcell, junior guard Tony Wills, and sophomore forward Deontae Hawkins all ended the game with four fouls.
Illinois State shot just 10 free throws, making eight.
Kentucky shot 46 free throws, making 29.
ISU was led in scoring by Akoon-Purcell, who scored a game high 22. Griffin and McIntosh added 14 apiece. No other Redbird scored more than senior forward Quintin Brewer’s six points. Brewer also collected a team high eight rebounds.
The Wildcats had three players in double figures including Isaiah Briscoe’s 18 points, Jamal Murray’s 16, and Marcus Lee’s 13.
The Redbirds made 25 shots from the field to Kentucky’s 22 in the loss.
Illinois State falls to 3-5 on the season. ISU gets a small break after concluding an eight game schedule in 17 days. The Redbirds return to action Saturday when it hosts University of Alabama-Birmingham. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. while Redbird Preview will begin at 6:00 p.m. following the coverage of Redbird football.
Listen to postgame interviews with senior forward Quintin Brewer, and head coach Dan Muller here.
