Trey Guidry had 20 points and Chris Burras set a new career high with 17, as Illinois State cruised to a 87-53 win over the Bellarmine Knights Tuesday night at Redbird Arena, improving their record to 2-2.
Illinois State used a harassing defense to frustrate Bellarmine, as the Birds notched Redbird Arena high 16 steals, which lead to 27 points off Knight turnovers.
Illinois State came barreling out of the gate in the first half and when the dust cleared, the Birds would find themselves up by as many as 23 in the opening period.
Bellarmine would hang close for the first few minutes, however Illinois State scored 10 points in under a minute, capped off by a Vince Greene jumper at the 13:32 mark to take a 12-point lead. The Birds would also reel off a 9-0 run, concluding at the 5:35 mark with a Guidry three that gave Illinois State their biggest first half lead at 34-11. The Redbirds headed to the locker room with a 40-23 lead.
Marcus Arnold continued to play well early in the season, as he scored the Redbirds first eight points, and lead all scorers with 12 at half. Trey Guidry was also in double-digits early, as he had 10 in the first frame.
The second half saw much of the same, as Illinois State continued to shoot well from the field. At the 11:10 mark, Chris Burras was fouled as he scored, and by making the ensuing free throw, he gave Illinois State their biggest lead of the game at 34.
Along with Guidry and Burras, Illinois State placed five players in double figures, as Vince Greene had 14, Marcus Arnold had 12, and Neil Plank dropped in 10. Illinois State shot 49% from the field for the game. Victor Pierson was the lone Knight in double digits, as he had 18.
Illinois State will be in action Saturday night, as they host Eastern Michigan at Redbird Arena at 7:05 p.m.
Game Notes - Illinois State (2-2)
Illinois State recorded 16 steals, the most ever at Redbird Arena, and also a season high.
Chris Burras had a career high 17 points in the win, eclipsing his previous career high of 12.
Illinois State's Gregg Alexander had 6 points on two 3's, which gives him 128 career three pointers, putting him in seventh place all-time for the Redbirds.
Game Notes - Bellarmine (1-5)
Victor Pierson had a team-high 18 points in the loss.
Troy Brown had a game-high 14 rebounds.
