By Austin Duncan
TERRE HAUTE, IN -In a role reversal from the last two Illinois State men’s basketball games, the Redbirds led by 13 in the first half, yet fell to Indiana State 77-65 at the Hulman Center in Terre Haute.
Illinois State began the game on an 8-0 run, including two 3-pointers for Paris Lee.
Indiana State stopped the run at the 16:19 mark on a pair of free throws Devonte Brown, who collected his team’s first seven points.
A steal by Illinois State’s Deontae Hawkins led to a layup by Devaughn Akoon Purcell to give the Redbirds a nine point advantage midway through the first half.
The Sycamores then put together an 8-0 run to cut Illinois State’s lead to 17-16 with 8:18 to play in the first half.
It was the Redbirds turn to halt the run, on a layup from MiKyle McIntosh to expand its lead to three. Illinois State’s run would continue, sparked by back-to-back 3-pointers from Quintin Brewer and McIntosh to give the ‘Birds a 30-19 lead at the 3:40 remaining in the half.
Illinois State’s run would grow to as many as 12-0 before it was answered by a 9-0 by Indiana State which was sparked by a 3-pointer by Brenton Scott to cut the Redbird lead to four with 33 seconds to play.
Paris Lee scored with just five second remaining in the half to give Illinois State a 34-28 halftime lead.
Indiana State drew first blood in the second half, scoring on a layup by Scott. The teams traded baskets but the Sycamores were able to gain its first lead of the game with 14:46 to play on a jump shot by Khristian Smith. Brenton Scott hit back-to-back 3-pointers to balloon the Sycamore lead to 54-46 with 11:54 to play.
The Sycamores’ hot shooting would continue as its lead would expand to as many as 12 before the Redbirds would storm back with a 12-1 run to cut the Sycamores’ advantage to 63-62 with 5:33 to play.
Indiana State would gain momentum back as Matt Van Scyoc hit a 3-pointer to put his team up by four. The Sycamores would expand its lead to seven on a pair of free throws by Brown with 1:58 remaining.
The Redbirds would get as close as five at the 1:33 mark but Indiana State cashed in its free throws to secure the victory.
Illinois State has not won in Terre Haute in nine games, since 2007.
The Redbirds were led in scoring by MiKyle McIntosh who collected a career-high 20 points. McIntosh also added four rebounds and assists. Paris Lee had a season-high 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Quintin Brewer, who fouled out with 5:43 to play, finished with seven points and six rebounds in 13 minutes of play.
Illinois State did not make a 3-pointer in the second half, and connected on just four in the game.
Led by Brenton Scott’s season-high 25 points, Indiana State made nine 3-pointers in the game, including seven of 10 attempts in the second half. Devonte Brown added 15 points, including 10 from the free throw line. Everett Clemons collected seven points, five assists, and a game-high 13 rebounds.
The Redbirds fall to 3-1 in Missouri Valley Conference play and 9-8 on the season.
Illinois State returns to action when it travels to Southern Illinois on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tip. Redbird Preview will begin at 6 p.m.
Listen to postgame comments from Illinois State head coach Dan Muller here.
Listen to postgame comments from sophomore forward MiKyle McIntosh here.
