Sophomore Gregg Alexander tossed in a game-high 26 points, but it wasnt enough as the Illinois State mens basketball team fell 89-76 to the Australian Under-20 National Team, Wednesday night, in the first of six games on the international tour.
Alexander opened the game with 17 points in the first half on 5-for-7 shooting on treys as the Redbirds lead 44-41 at the break. The Aussies took control of the game in the third quarter by out scoring the Birds 25-10 in the frame. Powered by 16 second-chance points on 47 rebounds, 53.8 percent shooting from the floor and 37 points off the bench, the Aussies were able to hold on for the win.
They came out really aggressive in the second half and forced a lot of turnovers that led to easy baskets, head coach Tom Richardson said. We tried to call a time-out, but you cant down here until a deadball and the guys got a little rattled.
They allow a much more physical brand of basketball than what our guys are used to and I think the guys were kind of surprised. They were a very big, good team, but our guys did some nice things as well.
In addition to Alexander, the Redbirds had three more players in double figures with Baboucarr Bojang tossing in 14 points in 31 minutes of action. Dirk Williams chipped in a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards, while Vince Greene also threw in 11 tallies along with six assists.
Gregg really shot the ball well tonight and had a great game offensively, Richardson added. We are going to tour the Olympic facilities on Thursday morning and give the guys the rest of the day off.
Trey Guidry scored six points for ISU. Andy Strandmark and Kevin Troc each added three points and Kenneth Hill tossed in two. The Redbirds shot 42.9 percent for the game, including 47.4 percent from behind the arc. After finishing third in the nation last season in free throw shooting, the Birds were an uncharacteristic 7-for-15 from the charity stripe.
Andrew Bogut led the way for the Aussies with 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting.
The Redbirds will have a day off before facing the Sydney Kings of the Australian National Basketball League on Friday at 8:00 p.m. AST.
