Nov. 22, 2008
Box Score
DALLAS, Texas - Junior Osiris Eldridge's 16 points led eight Illinois State players in double-digit scoring as the Redbirds cruised into the championship game of the 2008 SMU Tipoff Classic with a 107-70 victory over Houston Baptist in the second day of the four-team event at Moody Coliseum.
With the win, the Redbirds improved to 3-0 on the season and scored the most points in a single Redbird game since ISU downed South Alabama, 107-82, Feb. 19, 1977. Illinois State's eight players in double-figure points in a single game is the most by the Redbirds in the NCAA Division I-era at ISU (1970-present).
In addition to Eldridge, Emmanuel Holloway (15), Landon Shipley (14), Lloyd Phillips (11), Champ Oguchi (11), Dinma Odiakosa (11) and Brandon Holtz (11) were all in double-figures. The Redbirds shot 53.3 percent from the field and added a 90.6 percent shooting effort from the free throw line (29-for-32).
For the second-straight game, the Redbirds opened a 20-point, first-half lead. The Redbirds sank 11 first-half three-pointers on 23 tries to build a 58-30 halftime lead. It was the first 50-point half by the Redbirds since last season's UNC-Wilmington game when ISU scored 53 points..
With the Redbirds leading 10-9 at the 13:47 mark in the first half, ISU went on a 14-0 run, thanks to seven points by Eldridge. Leading 30-17 at the 8:01 mark, the Redbirds stretched the lead even further with another 10-3 spurt that included back-to-back three-pointers by Shipley. Holtz's second three-point field goal of the half gave the Redbirds their largest lead, 58-30, at the intermission.
Houston Baptist was not able to get any closer than 21 points in the second half. Gordon Watt led the Huskies with 31 points and 10 rebounds. He scored 22 points in the first half, including HBU's last 16 points of the frame.
Illinois State will conclude the SMU Tipoff Classic Sunday night as the Redbirds will face the host Mustangs. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
