Dec. 29, 2009
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NORMAL, Ill. -
Osiris Eldridge scored 26 points and helped Illinois State start conference play with a bang as the Redbirds handed Wichita State its second loss of the season, 72-57, on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena Tuesday night.
Eldridge was two points from season high and poured in six three-pointers as the Redbirds (10-2, 1-0 MVC) improved to 3-0 in MVC openers under head coach Tim Jankovich, who improved to 4-1 against the Shockers (11-2, 0-1 MVC). The Redbirds were the first team to out-rebound the Shockers this season (31-27) and won its fifth contest in the last seven meetings between the two schools.
Alex Rubin tied a career-high with 10 points, including two of the Redbirds nine three-pointers. Tony Lewis chipped in 13 points and tied Dinma Odiakosa for the team lead with eight rebounds. In addition to the points, Eldridge created opportunities for his teammates and led the Redbirds with five assists. Illinois State shot 48.1 percent (25-of-52) for the game.
After sharing baskets for the first two minutes of the game, ISU took the lead on a jump-hook by Odiakosa in the lane and a dunk by Jackie Carmichael. With 13:55 left on the clock, Eldridge scored seven straight points for the Birds' to extend their lead to 18-14.
The Shockers fought back to tie the game for the second time after a jumper by Garret Stutz at the 10:54 mark, before the Redbird's railed off six straight points to take a 24-18 lead with 8:01 left to play in the half. Carmichael ignited the run with a jumper and Lewis scored the next six points to give the Birds' their biggest lead of the half at the 8:01 mark.
Wichita State answered by firing a 10-4 run to tie the game at 28-28 with 4:07 left on the clock. After another basket-to-basket rally, the Shockers ended the first half with a 30-29 lead. Eldridge led all ISU scorers with 10 points in the first half.
Illinois State broke open a 34-34 tie in the early moments of the second half with a 14-5 run to push the margin to 48-39. The run was capped off by a three-point basket at the 13:06 mark from Austin Hill to force the Shockers head coach Gregg Marshall to take a time out. Out of the time out, Stutz threw down a dunk followed, but the Redbirds answered with a three-pointer by Eldridge to bring the score the 51-41 with 11:56 left in the second half.
Illinois State led by 13 points up to the 7:29 mark after a three-point basket by Rubin and held the score at a ten-point difference until the 5:58 mark. The led was cut to eight on two free-throws by Clevin Hannah before ISU answered with a three-pointer from Eldridge and a layup by Lewis to bring the score to 66-53 with 2:29 on the clock. Illinois State led by as many as 17 points in the final minute before closing with the 15-point win.
Gabe Blair led the Shockers with 12 points and was joined in double figures by Hannah (11) and JT Durley (10). Wichita State attempted just 10 free throws in the game, knocking down seven.
The Redbirds jump right back into Missouri Valley Conference action with a road trip to Missouri State (Jan. 1) and return to Redbird Arena for a match-up with Southern Illinois, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m.
