Trailing by only five points at halftime, the Illinois State mens basketball team held strong with Western Kentucky until the second half before the Hilltoppers decided to dominate en route to a 63-43 win over the Redbirds Sunday afternoon in Bowling Green, Ky.
With the loss, the Redbirds remain winless this season, falling to 0-6 while Western Kentucky improves to 3-3. ISU was led by Gregg Alexander who had 18 points, the only Redbird player to post double digits. Vince Greene chipped in six and Trey Guidry had five. WKU was led by Nate Williams, who led all scorers with 20 points, and Patrick Sparks added 10.
The Redbirds scored only 20 points in the first half and trailed 20-25 at halftime, but the Hilltoppers came out on fire in the second, taking a commanding 13-point lead before the Birds scored their first field goal of the half. A jumper by Alexander at the 15:53 mark kept ISU alive, but Western Kentuckys dominance from the start of the quarter prevailed through the end of the game.
The Redbirds came to within 10 with twelve minutes to play but Western Kentucky answered, going on a seven-point run, leading 44-27 with nine left in the game.
ISU shot 27.6% from the field on the game, including 25% in the second half. They were 16-of-58 from the field.
The Redbirds return to action on Wednesday, December 18 at home against Jacksonville at 7:05 p.m.
