Gregg Alexanders first career double-double (21 points, 10 rebounds) propelled Illinois State past Bradley 89-74 in front of a Redbird Arena crowd of 8,213.
Alexander not only spurred the offense and led the rebounding, he was a key to a Redbird defensive effort which limited Bradley to just seven baskets in its first 25 attempts in the second half. That enabled Illinois State to open up leads of as many as 20 points.
Illinois State, 3-15, 2-8 in the Missouri Valley spotted Bradley, 7-13, 3-6 in the Valley, a 10-0 lead at the beginning of the game. But three Alexander three-point baskets sparked a 16-2 Redbird run and Illinois State led 16-12 at the 13:35 mark.
A see-saw first half saw Bradley make eight three-pointers and Illinois State seven , the last was Vince Greenes three just ahead of the halftime buzzer which gave the Redbirds a 38-37 advantage. Greene finished with 15 points and 7 assists.
Illinois State came out in the second half on a 14-4 run and never looked back as the Birds led 52-42. The second-half play of Kevin Troc (8 points) and Casey Reid (career high 13 points) ignited the Redbirds as they took the lead for good.
Bradley was led by James Gillinghams 25 point, seven rebounds and seven assists. Phillip Gilbert chipped in 17.
ISU shot 51 percent from the field including 10 of 24 three-pointers and 21 of 25 free throws. Bradley shot 44 percent from the field and made 13 of 22 threes, 8 of 12 in the first half.
The Redbirds return to action Tuesday when they travel to Wichita State with tip-off scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
