Feb. 18, 2006
Final Stats
OXFORD, Ohio - Illinois State's Roberto Fortes tossed in a career high scoring total for the fourth straight game, but his layup under pressure in the game's final six seconds didn't get over the rim and the Redbirds dropped a 51-49 nonconference decision to Miami (Ohio) at Millett Hall on Saturday.
The loss marked the first defeat for the Redbirds in the four-year history of the BracketBusters event and dropped ISU's record to 9-16 on the season, while the RedHawks improved to 15-8.
Miami jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but Fortes continued his torrid shooting with his first of five first half treys to knot the score at 3-3 at the 17:37 mark. The Redbirds took their first lead of the game at 7-5 on Khalif Ford's fastbreak layup off a steal.
Fortes' second trey put the `Birds up 10-7 with 14:29 left in the half, but the RedHawks responded with a 13-4 run and took a 24-16 advantage with 4:31 on the clock. However, Fortes ended the half with three more threes and ISU's last nine points as the Redbirds trailed 29-25 at the intermission.
Miami opened up the second half with a Nathan Peavy basket to give the RedHawks their largest lead of the game at 31-25, but the Redbirds countered with a 9-0 run, including another three-pointer by Fortes, to take a 34-31 advantage at the 14:41 mark.
The RedHawks bounced back and claimed a 37-36 lead with 10:44 left, but another 7-1 spurt gave the `Birds a 43-38 lead with 7:55 on the clock. The RedHawks again countered with their own 13-2 run, including five points by William Hatcher, to claim a 51-45 lead.
ISU would not go away as Dilligard buried a jumper with 2:08 left, followed by a pair of free throws by Fortes to make the score 51-49 with 1:41 left. Neil Plank forced a turnover and passed the ball ahead to a streaking Fortes, but the ball was pinched between the rim and backboard before falling out of bounds off a RedHawk player. With six seconds left the in-bounded pass went to Michael Vandello, but the Redbird freshman lost the handle resulting in an ISU turnover.
Fortes led all scorers with 23 points, including a 7-for-11 effort on threes. Dilligard also added 12 points. Peavy led the way for the RedHawks with 15 points, while Tim Pollitz tossed in 13.
Illinois State returns to conference play on Wednesday night when the Redbirds host Missouri State. Tip-off is at 7:06 p.m.
