Dec. 22, 2007
MUNCIE, Ind. -
Senior guard Boo Richardson is just one point off his season-high with eight points, as Illinois State leads host Ball State, 27-17, at halftime of Saturday's non-conference finale at Worthen Arena. The Redbirds have held halftime leads in their past three games.
Illinois State broke an early 4-4 tie with a 7-4 spurt, and took an 11-8 lead with 11:46 remaining at the first media timeout. Osiris Eldridge and Boo Richardson combined four eight points in the stretch. Anthony Slack picked up two early fouls in the opening three and a half minutes, and was sent to the bench for the remainder of the stanza.
Alex Rubin came off the bench for six minutes in the ensuing stretch, and hit a three-pointer to help the Redbirds build a 16-12 advantage. After the Cardinals cut the lead to 18-15, Illinois State went on a quick 7-0 run, and built its first double-digit (25-15) lead of the game. Dinma Odiakosa had a layup, Richardson scored in transition and Levi Dyer contributed a three-pointer from the top of the key. Ball State cut the lead to eight (25-17) one possession later, but Richardson's six-footer in the paint with one second remaining gave the Redbirds a 27-17 lead.
Seven Redbirds scored in the first half, as Eldridge (6 points), Odiakosa (4), Emmanuel Holloway (3), Rubin and Dyer (3) all contributed in the offensive effort. ISU holds a 20-13 rebounding advantage, and has outshot the Cardinals, 44.4 percent to 32.0 percent.
