Sophomore Neil Plank tossed in a game-high 18 points for Illinois State but it wasnt enough as the Redbirds fell 78-71 to the EA Sports All-Stars Monday night at Redbird Arena in exhibition basketball.
The Redbirds overcame a one-point halftime deficit in the first minute of the second frame to take a four-point lead, 33-29, their largest of the game. Gregg Alexander tossed in a three-pointer at the 18:51 mark to put the Birds up by two. After an Alexander steal, Marcus Arnold dropped in a layup for the lead.
The Redbirds held their four-point edge on another trey by Alexander at the 16:44 mark, but a 14-4 run by the EA Sports All-Stars gave the visitors a 51-42 advantage and a lead they would never relinquish. The Redbirds closed the gap to 61-57 after a Plank layup at the 5:48 mark, but again the All-Stars responded with a 9-0 run to put the game away.
With 10:07 in the first half, an Arnold basket gave the Redbirds their only lead of the frame at 15-13. The Birds managed to stay close in the first 20 minutes, despite only shooting 2-for-10 on treys, overcoming their largest deficit of six points to close within one, 29-28, at the half. The Redbird defense was largely responsible by forcing EA Sports into 18 first-half turnovers.
Arnold finished with 16 points and six boards, but was 6-for-21 from the field. Alexander chipped in 11. EA Sports was led by Robert OKelleys 16 tallies off the bench, while Clay Tucker and Cory Largent tossed in 11 and 10 points respectively.
The Redbirds return to action on November 16 against Global Sports, for their second and final exhibition game. Tip off is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
