Redbirds hold Ramblers in check for road victory

Posted on February 1, 2015

By ISU Sports Information

CHICAGO – Reggie Lynch netted two free throws and back-to-back blocks in the final 16 seconds to help Illinois State hold off Missouri Valley Conference-foe Loyola on the road, 48-45, Saturday afternoon at Gentile Arena.

The Redbirds (14-8, 6-4 MVC) have now won three conference road games this season, including four of the last five overall. Loyola (13-9, 3-7 MVC) has dropped five-straight.

Deontae Hawkins led Illinois State with 11 points and five rebounds, while Paris Lee forced six steals to match a career high, and Lynch recorded five blocks. Loyola was led by Montel James’ 22 points and seven rebounds.

Saturday’s Redbird victory marked the fourth time this season that ISU has held an opponent to 45 points or less. Illinois State shot 37.3 percent from the field compared to Loyola’s 42.9 percent clip. However, ISU outrebounded LU, 32-32, and forced more turnovers while also recording more blocks and steals.

After Lynch scored ISU’s first basket, Loyola’s James responded by netting three-straight field goals to build a 6-3 advantage. Illinois State answered with a 10-3 run, including two Hawkins 3-pointers, to take a 13-9 lead on a DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell runner with 12:42 remaining in the opening half.

The Redbirds established a 22-14 advantage on a John Jones layup. However, a 5-2 Loyola run pulled the Ramblers within 24-19 at the 2:58 mark thanks to back-to-back layups by James, and Illinois State led at halftime, 26-19.

Loyola outscored ISU, 8-4, to start the second half, allowing the Ramblers to edge within 30-27 at the 14:12 mark. Illinois State answered with a 12-0 run, capped by two Daishon Knight free throws, giving the Redbirds a 42-27 lead, their largest of the game with 8:16 remaining.

However, the Ramblers scored 11-unanswered, cutting ISU’s lead to 42-38 at the 5:54 mark. A Joe Crisman layup with 2:06 to play narrowed LU’s deficit to 46-44, and a free throw by James with 48 seconds remaining pulled the Ramblers within one. Lynch was then fouled with 16 seconds remaining, and he proceeded to net both attempts, lifting the Redbirds ahead, 48-45.

Loyola went 0-for-4 at the free throw line in the final six seconds, and Lynch blocked two LU shot attempts in the final two seconds to secure the Redbird victory.

Illinois State returns to Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena Tuesday Night to host Evansville at 7 p.m.

PODCAST
DAN MULLER
DEONTE HAWKINS

 

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