Led by 25 points from the nations returning scoring leader, Tarise Bryson, Illinois State rolled to a 93-69 victory over head coach Tom Richardsons alma mater, St. Xavier, in the Redbirds exhibition season-opener at Redbird Arena on Thursday.
The reigning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and preseason favorite to win the award again this year, Bryson tallied 21 of his game-high 25 points in the decisive first half as he hit on 8-of-10 attempts from the field, including 3-of-4 treys. The all-America candidate unleashed the complete arsenal, hitting from the inside and outside, while even throwing down a fast break dunk. He also dished out a team-high six assists, pulled down two rebounds and notched two steals.
The Redbirds unveiled a tough pressure defense, that at times saw versatile 6-foot-9 center Babourcarr Bojang applying pressure to the ball coming up court, to force 23 turnovers by the Cougars. Midway through the first half, the Cougars had committed 11 turnovers while only tallying seven points as ISU jumped out to a 27-7 lead and never looked back.
The swarming ISU defense forced 16 first-half turnovers and limited the Cougars to 36 percent shooting (12-of-33) from the floor while the hot-shooting Redbirds shot at a 59 percent (20-of-34) clip on their way to a 51-27 lead at the half.
In addition to Brysons exploits, the 4,759 fans in attendance were treated to solid play by veterans Shawn Jeppson, Shedrick Ford, Randy Rice and Dirk Williams, while also getting a taste of versatile newcomers Bojang, Casey Reid, Vince Greene and Gregg Alexander.
Ford tallied 15 points and pulled down six boards, Bojang scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds, Reid scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Jeppson added 12 points. Williams chipped in with six points and five boards, Alexander added six points and Rice topped off a solid game with five points, four rebounds and a team-high four steals.
For the game, ISU shot 53 percent from the field (36-of-68) while holding St. Xavier to 41 percent (29-of-71) shooting to overcome a 42-36 rebounding advantage by the Cougars.
The Cougars were led by Ausley Donell with 14 points, while Michael Rojas and Mark Telander chipped in with 13 apiece. Keith Hampton added 12 points while Demond Brown scored 10.
The Redbirds return to exhibition play Nov. 11, at Redbird Arena against the EA Sports Midwest All-Stars before opening the regular season against Weber State on November 16.
