Nov. 27, 2009
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Tournament Central
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State's Kellen Thornton scored 11 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to notch his first career double-double and helped the Redbirds survive a career-high-tying 32 points from Norfolk State's Michael Deloach in a 79-66 ISU win on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena Friday night.
Thornton, a sophomore forward, was one of five Redbirds (4-0) in double figures, but the only player in the opening game of the Basketball Travelers Classic with double-digit rebounds. Illinois State's Osiris Eldridge worked around a tough shooting night to lead the Redbirds with 20 points. Eldridge was 1-for-10 before hitting three of his final seven shots and scored 11 points from the free throw line. Lloyd Phillips (18), Dinma Odiakosa (11), and Tony Lewis (10) also scored in double figures for ISU.
Illinois State led 33-28 at the half despite shooting just 31 percent (9-of-29) from the field, including a 3-of-16 mark from beyond the three-point line. Norfolk State (1-3) led once in the opening 20 minutes after a jump shot by Aleek Pauline made it 15-13, but Thornton hit back-to-back buckets, including the first three-pointer of his career, to key a 7-0 Redbird run. Illinois State led by as many as 12 in the final four minutes before the Spartans cut the lead to five.
Norfolk State cut the lead to a single basket twice during the opening minutes of the second half and trailed 43-40 at the 15:20 mark before a 9-2 Redbird run pushed the difference into double figures. Another bucket by Pauline at 3:29 trimmed the lead under 10, but Illinois State withstood the charge and never relinquished the lead.
Deloach led all scorers with 32 points and was joined in double figures by Rob Hampton (10). Hampton led the Spartans with seven rebounds.
Illinois State out-rebounded the Spartans 49-33, but was outshot 38.7 percent-to-40.7 percent for the game. Both teams committed 11 turnovers, had 30 points in the paint and 10 fast break points. Both teams combined to attempt 49 three-pointers and 50 free throws. The Redbirds scored 27 of their 79 points at the free throw line.
Competition at the Basketball Travelers Classic at Redbird Arena continues Saturday with the Illinois State playing Southeast Missouri State at 6:05 p.m., and the Norfolk State matching-up with St. Bonaventure at 8 p.m. The Redbirds will play St. Bonaventure on Sunday at 3:35 p.m.
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