Nov. 29, 2005
Final Stats
NORMAL, Ill. -
At times tonight's basketball game between Illinois State and Grambling State seemed destined for a low-scoring and sloppy outcome for both teams. However, a second half scoring surge by the Redbirds (3-1) combined with 37 percent shooting from the field for the Tigers (2-2) led to an exciting finish as ISU defeated Grambling State 62-50 Tuesday night at Redbird Arena.
Defense was once again the story for Illinois State in the first half, as the Redbirds held Grambling to just 16 points and forced the Tigers to shoot 23.3 percent from the field in the opening half. The Tigers were the first to get on the board though when Donté Gordon scored on a free throw one minute into the game. However it did not take the Redbirds long to score, as Greg Dilligard answered with a layup twenty seconds later to get the scoring started for ISU.
After trading baskets, ISU went up 10-6 on a Dilligard dunk but soon went cold, as the `Birds did not score for nearly five minutes and allowed Grambling to eventually take the lead on a layup by Jamal Breaux with 12:03 left in the first half. ISU got the lead back quickly after consecutive baskets by Dilligard gave the Redbirds a 16-14 edge with 9:27 left. From there, the Redbird defense clamped down and gave up just two points for the rest of the half, taking a 26-16 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Dilligard led the Redbird attack in the first half, shooting 6-for-8 from the field for 12 points and grabbing six rebounds. Dana Ford and Nedu Onyeuku each chipped in four points each and Khalif Ford added five assists. André Ratliff led the Tigers with five points.
Grambling State came out inspired in the second half, going on an 8-2 run to start the half. Anthony Williams had five points to spark the Tiger run and get within two points of the `Birds at 28-26 with 17:13 left in the game. However the Redbirds answered with a 16-2 run to take control once again. Dana Ford sparked the run with nine points, eventually leading to his career-high 16 points.
ISU led from that point on, leading by as many as 16 points at one point. Senior Neil Plank scored all of his 11 points in the second half and Dilligard finished one rebound short of a double-double with a game and career high18 points and nine rebounds. Grambling State had three players in double figures. Williams led the way with 15 points, Ratliff added 13 and Brion Rush chipped in 11.
The Redbirds return to action Saturday, December 3, for the third game of its current five-game homestand. ISU will face Wisconsin-Green Bay in a non-conference match-up set to tip off at 4:05 p.m. at Redbird Arena.
