Junior Gregg Alexander sank four consecutive 3-pointers in the second half, but it wasnt enough to overcome the first half deficit as Illinois State fell 66-55 to Northern Illinois in non-conference action at the Convocation Center.
With the loss the Redbirds fell to 1-1 on the season, while Northern Illinois improved to 2-1.
The Redbirds opened the game with a five-minute scoring drought and the production didnt pick-up over the final 15 minutes of the first half. Neil Plank scored the Birds first five points, but another six minute slump pushed the NIU lead to 16-5 with less than nine minutes remaining in the half.
ISUs woes continued as the Birds found themselves down 31-12 at the half. Illinois States 12 first half points marked the lowest halftime total in the Division I era, two less than ISUs 14 points in a loss to Tulsa on January 28, 1988.
Alexander sparked the Birds in the second half with his four-straight treys closing the Huskie lead to 35-28. Illinois State closed the gap to within eight points with 44 seconds left, but that was as close as they would get.
Alexander finished with a game-high 20 points, all in the second half, with a 6-for-11 effort on treys. Marcus Arnold overcame a 1-for-7 first half performance to score 16.
Todd Peterson led the Huskies with 19 points. Marcus Smallwood added 16 tallies and nine boards, while James Hughes tossed in 11.
Illinois State returns to action on Saturday, when the Birds travel to Utah State.
