Despite a double-double by Trey Guidry, who led the Illinois State mens basketball team with 15 points and a career high 11 assists, the Redbirds fell to Kent State, 76-61, in non-conference action, Saturday afternoon at the M.A.C. Center.
Senior Baboucarr Bojang pitched in a total of 14 points and a team-high six rebounds, including a lay-up with 11:31 left to play in the second half to put the Birds up 53-52 over the Golden Flashes. This would be the last lead of the game for the Redbirds.
Gregg Alexander, who contributed 13 points for the Birds, sank two free throws to tie the game at 55-55 with 10:47 left to play. However, Kent State hushed the Redbirds by going on an 11-0 run.
The Flashes run was led by a DeAndre Haynes three-pointer. Then Kent States center, Nate Gerwig, chipped in three free throws, while Haynes added another two points off a lay-up. Matt Jakeway finished off the Kent State run with a three-pointer.
The bleeding was stopped by a Redbird jumper made by Guidry, but the damage had already been done as the Birds went 0-5 from the field during Kent States run, which ultimately made the difference in a game where Illinois State trailed by one at the half, 36-35.
Illinois State falls to 0-5, while Kent State improves its record to 4-0. The Redbirds will return to action on Sunday, December 15 when they travel to Western Kentucky to take on the Hilltoppers.
