Nov. 17, 2007
TAMPA, Fla. -
Illinois State trails Tennesee-Martin, 33-24, at halftime of the opening game of the USF Shootout in Tampa, Fla. The `Birds struggled shooting the ball from the beginning of the game and couldn't seem to dig themselves out of an early deficit. Freshman guard Shala Jackson leads ISU with 10 points at the break.
The Redbirds missed their first seven shots from the floor and that enabled Tennessee-Martin to build a 9-0 lead four minutes into the game. Cirone hit a long-range jumper at the 15:20 mark broke the ISU scoreless streak. Down by 10 at the 14 minute mark, ISU went on an 11-4 run over the next 3:30 to pull within three, 18-15.
Foul trouble also plagued the Redbirds who committed five fouls before the Skyhawks had their first. Tennessee-Martin capitalized by shooting 7-for-10 from the charity stripe in the first half, while ISU was just 2-for-5.
