Dec. 19, 2006
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. -
Junior Boo Richardson recorded his first career double-double with 20 points and 11 assists and junior Anthony Slack posted a double-digit scoring effort for the sixth time this season with a career-high 22 points on an 8-for-9 shooting effort, as the pair led the Illinois State men's basketball team to a 85-66 win over Lewis Tuesday night at Redbird Arena.
The Redbirds, who improve to 7-4 (0-1 MVC), were able to disrupt Lewis on the offensive end, causing 28 turnovers and capitalizing with 23 points off the Flyers' mishaps.
Richardson and Slack became the second tandem this season to both score 20 or more points in a game and just the third duo to accomplish the feat since 2004. The `Birds also had four players in double figures, as senior Greg Dilligard finished in double digits for the fifth time this season with 13 points and junior Dom Johnson chipped in 11 points and a career-high five assists.
Lewis falls to 5-5 on the season and were led by sophomore Brandon Dagans, who led all scorers with 25 points and was a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line.
The first half began with both teams not encountering any problems scoring on the offensive end, as the Redbirds and Flyers traded baskets until ISU was able to pull ahead on a 22-7 run capped off by a dunk from Richardson to Slack, who slammed it down. Slack led the `Birds during the stretch that lasted 7:46, as he scored eight points during the run that put the Redbirds ahead 28-13 with 11:46 remaining.
The `Birds led by as many as 19 when Richardson drove to the basket, spun around a Flyer defender and made a quick pass to Dilligard who converted an uncontested layup to make the score 44-25 with 3:26 left to play in the half. But Lewis was able to cut into the lead with a 11-3 scoring run to close out the half, with Illinois State leading Lewis 47-36 at intermission.
The Flyers' Dagans led all scorers at the break, scoring 17 points on 3-of-8 shooting from the field and a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe. The Redbirds were led by Slack, who had 11 points at the half.
The second half began similar to the first, with both teams trading baskets. The Redbirds were able to pull ahead 65-44 with 12:12 remaining courtesy of a 13-3 scoring run that was paved by Richardson's seven points on three baskets on consecutive trips down the floor. Richardson scored 15 points in the second half as the Redbirds cruised for the remainder of the game, leading by as many as 21 points before securing the win at 85-66.
The Redbirds will return to action Saturday Dec. 23, when they face in-state rival Illinois-Chicago. Tip off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
