Dec. 16, 2009
Final Stats
ATHENS, Ohio -
Senior Dinma Odiakosa was the only player from Illinois State to score in double figures with 13 points, as the Redbirds were dealt their second-consecutive loss, falling 75-57 to Ohio in the Convocation Center Wednesday night. The margin of defeat was the largest against the Redbirds since the 79-49 loss to Drake in the 2008 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship Game.
The loss dropped ISU's record to 7-2 on the season, while Ohio improved to 6-3.
The Bobcats opened the second half with a 22-7 run, including seven points by D.J. Cooper, and the Redbirds were never able to recover, trailing 50-30. ISU used an 11-4 run late to close the gap to 54-41, but the Redbirds could not get any closer.
Both teams were slow coming out of the gate offensively, facing a 2-2 tie heading into the first media timeout. Osiris Eldridge helped the Redbirds make the first run, as his jumper put ISU up 9-5 with 12:53 remaining in the half. Ohio responded with a 7-0 run and claimed a 12-9 lead, one the Bobcats would never relinquish. Ohio led by as many as six points in the first half, but led 28-23 at the break.
Odiakosa kept the Redbirds in the game early with nine first-half points, on 4-for-6 shooting. ISU ended up shooting 36.5 percent for the game and committed 18 turnovers, including a team-high six by Eldridge.
Eldridge finished with nine points on 4-for-12 shooting, while Ohio's Cooper tossed in a game high 18 points. Armon Bassett added 14 points and Jay Kinney and Steven Coleman each finished with 10 apiece for the Bobcats.
Illinois State will continue its road swing, as the Redbirds travel to Utah Saturday for the first meeting between the two schools. The game, which is part of the Mountain West-Missouri Valley Conference Challenge Series, tips off at 5 p.m. CST.
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