Trey Guidry led Illinois State with 15 points, but the Redbirds were unable to extend their winning streak to three games as they fell to Drake, 70-63, in Valley basketball action at the Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Illinois State, 6-19 overall, 4-12 in the Valley, led by as many as nine points in the second half, but could not put the Bulldogs away late in the game. Marcus Arnold also scored in double figures for the Birds with 10 points, while Andy Strandmark contributed seven points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Drake, 10-17 overall, 5-11 Valley, was led by J.J. Sola with 16 points, while Luke McDonald chipped in 14. The Bulldogs shot 52 percent (14-for-27) in the second half and outscored the Birds 18-to-8 in points off of turnovers.
Illinois State had the lead at 63-62 with 1:55 left after Vince Greene drove to the basket for a lay-up, but Drake responded with a McDonald three-pointer to put the Bulldogs up by one. Baboucarr Bojang missed a pair of free throws with 1:15 remaining in regulation and Sola was able to score on the ensuing possession driving to the basket for a lay-up.
Drake made three of its four free throws in the closing minute to seal the victory and ended the game on an 8-0 run.
Illinois State continues its Valley road trip heading to Indiana State on Saturday, March 1, for an afternoon game against Indiana State. The contest is slated for a 1:05 p.m. start.
