Feb. 3, 2007
Stats
NORMAL, Ill. -
On a night where the Illinois State athletics department paid tribute to the backcourt magician, Doug Collins, by naming the court at Redbird Arena in his honor, junior Dom Johnson scored 14 points to lead four Redbirds in double figures, but it wasn't enough as in-state rival Bradley completed the season sweep by defeating ISU 70-62 on Saturday night.
The Braves used a balance offense, which included three players in double figures led by Zach Andrew's 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting, and a solid defensive effort which forced the Redbirds into 15 turnovers resulting in 21 points.
Illinois State received 13 points from junior Levi Dyer, who also notched a new career high with six assists. Junior Boo Richardson also chipped in 12 points and senior Greg Dilligard contributed 11 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
The Redbirds struggled from the foul line hitting only 12-of-22 (55 percent) and from beyond the arc connecting on 8-of-24 (33 percent).
Illinois State falls to 12-12, 4-9 in the Missouri Valley Conference, while Bradley improved its record to 16-9 and moved over .500 in the conference standings at 7-6.
The first half began with the Redbirds jumping out to an early 10-0 lead at the 17:45 mark, following a pair of three pointers from Richardson and another shot from beyond the arc by Dyer. The Braves would rally to take their first lead at 21-19 with 9:33 until halftime on an Andrews' shot in the paint. Andrews contributed nine points as part of the Braves' 21-9 run used to take the lead.
Illinois State would regain the lead at 23-21 on a Dilligard lay up with 8:01 left to play in the half and would not relinquish the lead until Bradley went on a 9-2 run over the half's final 3:54. The run was sparked by Andrew Warren, who hit pair of free throws and a three pointer, helping the Braves to a 34-30 advantage at intermission.
Bradley opened the second half hitting three of its first five shots, including an Andrews' dunk off a fastbreak, pushing the lead to 41-34 with 16:07 to play. With the Braves up 43-38 at the 14:16 mark, ISU went on a 7-0 run spurred by five points from Johnson and a jumper by Dyer that gave the `Birds a 45-43 lead with 12:23 remaining.
Bradley would quickly regain the lead on the strengths of a 12-2 run, which included a pair of threes from Danny Adams that put the Braves up 55-47 with 8:42 to play.
The Redbirds came to within five points at 60-55 on Dyer shot from beyond the arc with 4:49 left to play, but Adams answered, nailing his fourth from long range, to stabilize the Braves' lead at 63-55 with 3:10 remaining in the game.
The Redbird basketball team will hit the road for its next match up on Tues, Feb. 6 at Missouri State. Tip-off between the `Birds and the Bears is scheduled for 8:05 p.m.
