Redbird men top Missouri State

Posted on January 12, 2015

Bobby Hunter led three Redbirds in double-figures with 17 points, while matching a career high with seven field goals on 7-for-8 shooting. (Photo courtesy of GoRedbirds.com)

By WJBC staff

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Illinois State went 7-for-10 from 3-point range in the first half while building a 22-point halftime advantage en route to a 69-55 Missouri Valley Conference road victory versus Missouri State Sunday afternoon at JQH Arena.

Following back-to-back wins, the Redbirds are now 10-6 overall, 2-2 in the MVC and 3-2 on the road, while the Bears are 8-8 and 2-2 in the MVC. Illinois State shot 40.0 percent from the field compared to 35.8 percent by MSU. The Redbirds outrebounded Missouri State, 39-29, and ISU earned a 15-7 advantage on second-chance points.

Bobby Hunter led three Redbirds in double-figures with 17 points, while matching a career high with seven field goals on 7-for-8 shooting, plus a season-best five rebounds. Missouri State’s Tyler McCullough netted 12 points to lead the Bears.

DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell returned to Illinois State’s lineup after missing seven games due to injury. He scored 12 points, and MiKyle McIntosh contributed 11. Reggie Lynch collected seven rebounds plus four blocks and nine points. Lynch also tallied a career-best seven free throws on eight attempts.

Illinois State went 3-for-3 from 3-point range and 2-for-2 at the free throw line to start the game, as the Redbirds took a lead which they did not relinquish following a McIntosh trifecta at the 16:57 mark. ISU used a 7-0 run to build an 18-7 advantage, and the Redbirds held the Bears scoreless from 15:09 until 11:39.

Missouri State responded with a 6-2 run to pull within seven points at the 8:02 mark; however, ISU outscored the Bears, 25-10, over the final eight minutes of the first half – including a Daishon Knight 3-pointer with three second remaining – to take a 49-27 halftime advantage. ISU made its first 14 free throws before finally missing in the first half.

The Bears started the second half on a 5-0 run to pull within 49-32 with 17:24 remaining. However, the Redbirds maintained a double-digit advantage throughout the remainder of the game.

 

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