Nov. 14, 2007
Final Stats |
Notes
NORMAL, Ill. -
Sophomore Osiris Eldridge poured in 27 points, while senior Anthony Slack recorded his third-career double-double to lead the Illinois State men's basketball team to a 90-71 rout of Southeast Missouri State in the first round of the Chicago Invitational Challenge Wednesday night on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena. Eldridge added seven rebounds and a career-high six steals to go along with his game-high 27 points, while Slack notched career-highs in rebounds (13) and equaled his career-best in blocks (3) in addition to his 15 points on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting from the field.
The Redbirds (2-0) had four players reach double-figures, as Brandon Holtz scored a career-high 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc, while Emmanuel Holloway chipped in with 10 points off the bench.
With the Redbirds' win, head coach Tim Jankovich joined former Redbird mentor Gene Smithson as the only two NCAA Division I coaches in Illinois State history to start their tenure with a 2-0 record.
After the Redhawks hit 3-of-4 three pointers to open up the game, the Redbird offense picked up, as ISU went on 9-0 run to take 22-16 lead at the 11:48 mark in the first half. Holloway made an immediate impact off the bench, scoring five points to spark the Redbirds' spurt. Eldridge also got the offense rolling, as the 2007 Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year scored nine of ISU's first 13 points.
But the Redhawks were able to close the gap, putting together an 8-0 run to retake the lead, 29-28, after center Will Bogan hit two free throws with 7:03 left in the half. Bogan led SEMO during the run, scoring four points. However, the `Birds climbed back into the driver's seat, as Eldridge's shooting touch along with his full court vision put the Redbird ahead, 41-36. Eldridge made an acrobatic move as he was driving to the hoop and passed behind his head to Dom Johnson waiting on the wing. Johnson kicked it out to Holtz on the top of the key, and he nailed the trey to put the `Birds back in control.
However, SEMO went on another run, closing out the half on a 10-1 spurt to take a 46-44 lead into the locker room. Eldridge paced the `Birds throughout the half by scoring 16 points, setting a new career-high for points in the first-half.
Slack ignited the Redbirds to open up the second half, pouring in seven of ISU's first ten points in the period. After Slack's bucket at the 16:18 mark gave the `Birds a 54-52 advantage, and started an 18-2 run. Holtz and Levi Dyer caught fire from three point land, hitting two threes apiece to lead ISU during the rout.
The Redbirds continued to excite the 4,522 fans in attendance, as Eldridge drove down the baseline and threw down a reverse dunk to give the Redbirds a comfortable, 83-70 lead with 1:50 left. After the Redbirds snagged a quick steal, Holloway found Slack on alley-oop, with Slack throwing down a tomahawk slam.
The Redbirds will finish up their season-opening home stand Sunday, as ISU welcomes the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks for a 2:05 p.m. tilt. Sunday's game at Redbird Arena completes the first-round of the Chicago Invitational Challenge, which continues Nov. 23 at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
