Shedrick Fords jumper with 22 seconds remaining in the game in Illinois States tournament opener against UC-Irvine secured the Redbird victory, 58-52, over the Anteaters in the first round of the University Hoops Classic in Moon Township, Pa., Friday.
Illinois State improves to 2-0 while the loss for UC-Irvine was its first of the year as it falls to 2-1.
Leading by only two points with a score of 49-47 and four minutes remaining in the game, Illinois State went on a 9-5 run down the stretch, led by Vince Greene, Bojang Baboucarr and Ford. While the Anteaters would not give up, taking the score back to within three with one minute remaining, Fords jumper followed by two free throws made by Gregg Alexander was all the Birds needed for the victory.
Illinois State started the game with an 8-0 run, led the whole first half and never trailed in the contest. A layup by Bojang at the 17:49 mark of the first gave ISU the advantage that the team never relinquished.
Three Redbird players scored in double digits including 13 points contributed from Bojang, the teams leading scorer for the day. Shawn Jeppson had 12 points and Vince Greene posted 11 while Bojang also led the team in rebounds with eight. Jerry Green and Mike Hood led UC-Irvine in scoring with 13 points each.
The second round of the tournament resumes tomorrow with Illinois State facing Pittsburgh at 3 p.m. eastern time. Pittsburgh defeated Oakland today 70-53 to advance in the winners bracket.
