Nov. 23, 2009
Box Score in PDF Format 
CHICAGO - Illinois State's
Osiris Eldridge tossed in 17 of his game-high 19 points in the first half, and the Redbirds held on for a 69-65 non-conference victory Monday night over UIC at the UIC Pavilion.
Illinois State (3-0) led throughout the second half, but UIC (1-2) closed the gap to only two points, 58-56, on two made free throws by Robo Kreps. The Redbirds scored four-straight points, on a Kellen Thornton tip-in followed by a pair of free throws by Lloyd Phillips. Zavion Neely closed the deficit to 62-59 with 3:35 left, but Phillips countered with a 3-for-4 effort from the line to push the ISU lead back to 65-59.
Tony Lewis' free throws put ISU up 67-59, but UIC's Jeremy Buttell was fouled by Thornton on his made three-pointer and converted the foul shot for the four-point play. ISU extended its lead to 68-65 on a Dinma Odiakosa free throw and UIC had a chance for the tie, but Krep's three-point try bounced off the back of the rim. Phillips sank the backend of a pair of foul shots to seal the win.
Eldridge fired in 17 first-half points, highlighted by an individual 8-0 run that gave Illinois State its first lead. The Redbirds trailed by as many as nine points in the first half and were down, 21-18, before Eldridge's heroics. The ISU senior drove the lane on a fast break for a lay up, before sinking back-to-back treys from the left corner. Eldridge added to his point total, and the Illinois State lead, with a jumper as time expired to give the Redbirds a 34-28 edge at the break.
Phillips added 15 points for the Redbirds, while Odiakosa finished with 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Neely led UIC with 17 points and Kreps and Buttell each finished with 15.
Illinois State will be back in action for three games in three days when the Redbirds host the Basketball Travelers Classic on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena. The three-day event will begin Friday and the Redbirds open the tournament at 6:30 p.m., hosting Norfolk State.
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