Feb. 11, 2007
Final Stats
WICHITA, Kan. - Osiris Eldridge's game-tying three-point attempt with three seconds remaining rolled in-and-out as Illinois State fell to Wichita State 69-64 on Sunday afternoon at Charles Koch Arena.
The loss spoiled Levi Dyer's game-high 22-point effort and dropped Illinois State's overall record to 12-14 on the season and 4-11 in the Valley, while Wichita State improved to 17-9 on the season and 8-7 in league play.
To open the second half, the Shockers pushed their lead to 54-43 with 13:26 left in the game, but the Redbirds responded with a 10-0 run, including eight points by Dyer, to close the gap to 54-53 with 10:28 on the clock. ISU had a chance to take its first lead of the second half, but Anthony Slack came up a little short on his fastbreak dunk attempt.
WSU regained control with a 5-0 run on a pair of P.J. Couisnard free throws and a Karon Bradley three-pointer to take a 59-53 lead into the third media timeout of the second half. Over the next six minutes, the Redbirds scratched and clawed their way back into it and trailed 65-64 with 1:13 on the clock.
ISU jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on a Boo Richardson trey and baskets from both Osiris Eldridge and Dyer. The Shockers responded with an 11-4 run to tie the score at 11-11 with 14:39 left in the half. The two teams continued to trade baskets for the rest of the half and Richardson's breakaway lay up with 1:18 on the clock brought the Redbirds to within a single point at 32-31. The Shockers ended the half with a pair of dunks, including Ryan Martin's off an inbounds play and P.J. Couisnard's following a steal to push the halftime lead to 35-31.
Joining Dyer in double figures for the `Birds was Greg Dilligard, 15 points, and Slack, who finished with 13. WSU was led by Couisnard's 17 points.
The Redbirds will end their three-game road swing on Wednesday, when ISU travels to Indiana State. Tip off in Terre Haute, Ind., is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CST.
