Jan. 30, 2007
Box Score
NORMAL, Ill. -
Freshman Osiris Eldridge scored 14 points, including nine in the final 1:54, and grabbed a career-high tying eight rebounds as the Illinois State men's basketball team defeated Evansville, 65-61, in a Missouri Valley Conference game Tuesday night. The Redbirds improved to 9-3 at home this season, and snapped a two-game conference losing streak.
The Redbirds (12-11, 4-8 MVC) had three players reach double figures, as Eldridge was joined by juniors Anthony Slack and Boo Richardson. Slack scored 14 points and pulled down nine rebounds and Richardson chipped in 11 points to go along with five assists as the Redbirds split the season series with the Purple Aces.
Evansville (12-11, 5-7 MVC) was led by sophomore Jason Holsinger, who tallied a season-high 24 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the field and 6-for-10 from three-point range. Senior Matt Webster also scored 18 points in the defeat.
The Redbirds and the Aces began the first five minutes of the first half battling to pull ahead, as both teams nailed three shots from beyond the arc, including back-to-back threes from Evansville's Holsinger. With the score tied at 9-9, Holsinger hit consecutive jumpers to put the Aces ahead, 14-9, with 13:08 left, forcing an Illinois State timeout. However, Redbird reserve Slack entered the game and tallied two quick lay-ups to close the gap to one at 14-13. The Redbirds were able to regain the lead after Richardson drove down the lane and hit a finger-roll lay-up as ISU took a 20-18 advantage with 7:12 left in the half. Once again, Holsinger fueled the Aces' offense, scoring seven points in the final five minutes as Evansville ended the half with a slim 32-29 lead.
Evansville was able to jump out to a commanding advantage in the beginning stages of the second half, taking a 39-34 lead at the 16:38 mark after another three from Holsinger. The Aces built their largest lead of the game at 47-37 during the first five minutes of the half courtesy of a 15-8 scoring run. But, the Redbirds were able to build a scoring run of their own, an 11-5 stretch that cut the Aces' lead to 52-51with 7:22 remaining. The Redbirds were able to tie the game at 57-57 after freshman Eldridge hit an open three on a drive and pass from Richardson with 1:54 left. After forcing an Evansville turnover, Eldridge hit another jumper, this time inside the arc that gave the `Birds their first lead at 59-57 since the 7:12 mark in the first half.
After an Aces timeout, Webster drove the lane and shot a jumper that rattled in to tie the game at 59 with 55 seconds remaining. The Redbirds quickly regained the advantage after Eldridge sank two free throws, giving Illinois State a 61-59 lead at 42.0 seconds. The `Birds never relinquished that lead, closing out the game by hitting four more free throws to seal the victory.
The Redbirds will face in-state rival Bradley on Saturday, February 3, as former Redbird and all-American Doug Collins will be honored before the game. Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. at Redbird Arena.
