Sophomore Trey Guidry poured in a team-high 26 points to lead Illinois State over the Kuiyam Pride 91-90, Wednesday night, at Fretwell Park to give the Redbirds their second win of the six-game Australian tour.
Baboucarr Bojang sank an eight-foot jumper from the block with less than a minute remaining to put the Birds up 91-90. After a defensive stop, the Redbirds turned the ball over on an in-bounds play. Again the Redbird defense held as Kevin Troc battled for a loose ball to force a jump ball situation. Troc won the toss and batted the ball the length of the court as time expired.
We played our best defense of the trip in the second half, head coach Tom Richardson said. We held them to 34 percent shooting in the second half and we also did a nice job on the boards again.
The Birds had four players in double figures with senior Andy Strandmark posting another double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Vince Greene tossed in 15 points, while Gregg Alexander added 11 points and five assists.
Andy has played well and has been really consistent, Richardson said. Hes gaining some confidence too, because hes playing against some big, strong guys down here. The last two games, Trey has scored some baskets for us offensively and has played better defensively. Vince has been the most consistent player on the trip.
The Redbirds opened the game with a 9-0 run, but Illinois State trailed 53-50 at the half and 71-65 heading into the fourth quarter. In the final frame, Greene hit a couple of threes to start the ISU rally.
Guidry shot 11-for-22 from the field, including 4-of-11 on treys. The Redbirds only committed 13 turnovers and forced 16 by the Pride which led to 20 ISU points. Again, the Birds rebounded well winning the boards 45-42.
Timmy Duggan led the way for the Pride with a game-high 28 points. ISUs Baboucarr Bojang finished with eight points and nine caroms.
Illinois State returns to action on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. AST (4:00 a.m. CDT), as the Redbirds face the Cairns Taipans in the sixth and final game of the 14-day tour.
The Taipans are supposed to be the best team that we will have faced on the trip, Richardson said. We want to come back with a .500 record. Each game has been close so far and we have learned a lot about our team. We know what we need to work on as a team and as individuals.
