Redbirds use strong second half to top Salukis

Posted on January 11, 2017

D..J. Clayton led the Redbirds in scoring to keep the squad unbeaten in Missouri Valley Conference play. (Photo Dennis Banks/GoRedbirds.com)

By Greg Halbleib

CARBONDALE – Illinois State men’s basketball overcame a four-point halftime deficit to outscore Southern Illinois by 11 in the second half for a 60-53 victory on Wednesday night at SIU Arena.

The victory improves Illinois State’s record to 13-4 overall and 5-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference, setting up a showdown for first place with Wichita State on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Redbird Arena. The Shockers remained unbeaten in Valley play with an 87-75 win over visiting Loyola on Wednesday night.

The Redbirds trailed by as many as seven points in the first half before a D.J. Clayton dunk with 3:57 left before the intermission tied the game. The Redbirds did not lead the contest until a Paris Lee three-pointer 3:27 into the second half and took the lead for good with 12:58 remaining on a Clayton tip-in.

Clayton led the Birds with 13 points while Deontae Hawkins contributed 11 points and eight rebounds and Lee chipped in 10 points. Southern Illinois (10-8, 3-2 MVC) was led by Sean O’Brien with 15 points and Armon Fletcher with 12.

Saturday’s game against the Shockers on Doug Collins Court of Redbird Arena tips at 7 p.m. and can be heard on WJBC-AM 1230 and WJBC.com beginning at 6 p.m. with Redbird Preview.

Listen here to the post-game interview with Redbird coach Dan Muller.

Listen to the post-game interview with D.J. Clayton here.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].

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