Feb. 8, 2009
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Normal, Ill. -
The Illinois State men's basketball team fell in overtime, 75-73, to Indiana State, despite double-double efforts from both Osiris Eldridge and Champ Oguchi at Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena Sunday. The loss marked the first home setback for the Redbirds this season.
The Sycamores tied a Redbird Arena record for most three-pointers made by an opposing team after going 14-for-30 from behind the arc.
Oguchi (19), Lloyd Phillips (14) and Eldridge (13) all scored in double-figures for Illinois State (19-5, 8-5 Missouri Valley Conference). Oguchi led the Redbirds in rebounds with 11, while Eldridge pulled down 10.
Indiana State's Jay Tunnell had a career night for the Sycamores, as he eclipsed the 1,000-points-scored plateau with a career-high 28 points. He added in 12 rebounds for a double-double. Tunnel was 9-of-12 from the field and a near-perfect 8-for-9 from three-point range.
Illinois State jumped out to a 14-7 lead to open the game behind two three-pointers from Emmanuel Holloway. The lead dissipated when the Sycamores went on an 8-0 run to claim their first lead of the game, 15-14, at the 9:40 mark.
The two teams traded baskets until Indiana State built its largest lead of the first half at five, leading 25-20 at the 2:34 mark after Harry Marshall knocked down a three-pointer from the corner. The Redbirds closed the half on a 5-0 run, tying the game at 25-25 after a Phillips trey and a pair of free throws by Eldridge.
Illinois State made a barrage of three-pointers to start the second half, the first coming from Eldridge, followed by treys from Oguchi and Holloway. Holloway's three-pointer at the 14:59 mark gave Illinois State a 40-34 lead. The Redbirds continued to build their lead, with their largest lead coming after Brandon Sampay dropped in a layup that put Illinois State up, 57-45, at the 2:38 mark.
Indiana State countered, as the Sycamores went five-straight trips down the floor with a three-point bucket. The last came from Rashad Reed to tie the game at 60-60 with 28 seconds left to force the game into overtime.
In overtime, Indiana State continued the shooting streak and made three more three-pointers, pushing its lead to 69-63. Illinois State rebutted with a tip-in from Eldridge and a three-pointer from Phillips to cut the deficit to one, 69-68. After eventually tying the game at 73-73, Marshall hit a game-winning jumper as the buzzer sounded to give Indiana State a 75-73 win over Illinois State.
Illinois State will return to action at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday when the Redbirds travel to Evansville, Ind., to take on Evansville in Missouri Valley Conference.
