Nov. 12, 2006
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - SMU's Devon Pearson tipped in a missed lay-up by Derrick Roberts in the game's final second to spoil Illinois State's rally from 11 points down in the season opener at the Colonial Classic at the Donald L. Tucker Center on Sunday night.
Trailing 44-33 with 9:54 left in the game, the Redbirds (0-1) used a 19-5 run, including 10 points by Boo Richardson, to take a 52-49 lead with 3:43 on the clock. However, Ike Ofoegbu scored 11 of the Mustangs' final 13 points to give SMU (1-0) a 55-52 with 1:50 remaining. Dominitrix Johnson buried a deep three-pointer, his fifth of the game, to tie the score at 55-55 with 27 seconds on the clock.
Holding for the last possession, Roberts drove along the left side of the lane and his lay-up bounced off the rim, but Pearson flashed in from the right side with the tip-in.
The three-ball was working early for the Redbirds, as ISU shot its way to an early 16-7 lead with 12:13 left in the first half. Trailing 7-6, the Redbirds used a 10-0 run, with treys from post players Anthony Slack and Levi Dyer. However, ISU suffered through a pair of four-minute scoring droughts in the final 12 minutes and SMU responded with an 18-5 spurt to take a 25-21 lead. Thanks to a Bamba Fall's jumper at the buzzer, the Mustangs took a 29-23 lead at the intermission.
Johnson led the way for the Redbirds with 15 points, with all five baskets coming from beyond the arc. Richardson added 10 points, while Slack finished with nine points and a game-high 12 rebounds. SMU was led by Ofoegbu, who finished with 21 points, and Bamba Fall, who tossed in 11.
The Redbirds shot 35 percent from the field, including 31 percent in the first half. ISU also finished with nine free throw attempts, while SMU recorded 25.
Illinois State will return to action on Monday night, when the Redbirds will face host Florida State in the second day of the Colonial Classic. Tip off is scheduled for 6:30 pm CT.
