Casey Reid sunk a free throw with no time remaining on the clock to give Illinois State the victory, 61-60, over Southwest Missouri State in Missouri Valley Conference action tonight at Redbird Arena.
Illinois State, 7-11 (3-4 MVC), trailed most of the game, but took the lead for the first time at 52-51 on a lay-up by Randy Rice with 3:00 remaining in the contest. Gregg Alexander gave the Birds the lead again at 58-57 with just under a minute left with a three-point basket.
Two free throws by Shedrick Ford extended the Illinois State lead to three, 60-57, with 19 seconds left, but a three-point basket by SMSs Terrance McGee tied the game at 60 with 10 seconds remaining. With no time-outs left, Illinois State went the length of the floor and Reid was fouled on his shot attempt as the clock expired. Reid needed only his first free throw attempt to seal the victory.
Shawn Jeppson led the Birds in scoring with 14 points, while Gregg Alexander and Dirk Williams contributed 11 and 10 points respectively. Illinois State shot 54 percent from the field in the second half, including 57 percent (4-7) from beyond the arc. Dirk Williams also led the team on the boards with six rebounds.
Southwest Missouri State, 8-11 (3-4 MVC), was led in scoring by Scott Brakebill with 16 points. Mike Wallace posted a double-double for the Bears with 14 points and 13 rebounds. McGee finished with 15 points.
The Redbirds head to Peoria, Ill., on Wednesday, January 23, to face Bradley in a Missouri Valley Conference match-up.
