Jan. 25, 2006
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. -
For a team known for playing tenacious defense, the Illinois State men's basketball team showed they can score in large amounts too, shooting nearly 53 percent from the field on the way to a season-high 75 points and a 75-48 victory against Indiana State at Redbird Arena Wednesday night. The Redbirds (8-10, 3-7) evened the season match-up against the Sycamores (8-10, 1-9) at one game apiece, with each team winning on its home court.
The Sycamores jumped out to early 4-0 lead on back-to-back jumpers by Trent Wurtz and Jay Tunnell just a minute into the game. However, the Redbird seniors would soon get the Redbirds on the scoreboard. Neil Plank was the first to score, after knocking down a free throw to complete a three-point play and bring the Redbirds closer at 4-3. After a Wurtz free throw, Greg Dilligard converted on a three-point play of his own and gave the `Birds their first lead of the game at 6-5 with 16:47 left in the first half.
The early lead was all that ISU needed, as the `Birds continued to score and kept the lead for the entire game. With score at 16-14, the Redbirds went on a 21-7 run that began at the 11:29 mark and lasted until halftime. Dana Ford jump-started the run with back-to-back steals that resulted in fast break layups by Travis Wallace and Ford to bring the score to 22-14. The `Birds would eventually jump out to leads of 14 and to 16 points on a Mike Vandello tip-in at the buzzer, giving ISU a 37-21 lead heading into the locker room.
Every player who saw action for the Redbirds in the first half scored, with Nedu Onyeuku leading the way with nine points.
The Redbirds opened the second half much like they finished the first, going on an 8-4 run to start the half. Dilligard scored the first points of the second half, converting on his second three-point play of the game to extend the Redbird lead to 38-21 early in the half. Plank added five points during the run, which gave ISU is largest lead thus far at 45-25.
Points continued to come from everywhere as the half continued, as senior Travis Wallace converted on the first 3-pointer of his career, giving him a career-high five on the night. Junior Mark Kruse also got into the scoring mix with his three-point shot at the 3:07 mark in second half, giving ISU its biggest lead of the night at 30 points, 72-42.
Freshman Dinma Odiakosa also achieved two career-highs on the night, with his six points and 10 rebounds. Eleven Redbirds scored during the game with Plank and Vandello leading the way with 15 and 11 points, respectively. Tunnel and Schnitker paced the Sycamores with eight points apiece.
The Redbirds finish up their brief two-game homestand Saturday, against Southern Illinois. It will be the `Birds' second game against SIU in six days, with tip-off set for 4:05 p.m. at Redbird Arena.
