Jan. 27, 2010
Box Score in PDF Format 
WICHITA, Kansas -
Lloyd Phillips poured in a career-best 22 points and scored Illinois State's final seven points, but it wasn't enough as the Redbirds dropped a 74-66 decision against Wichita State Wednesday night at Charles Koch Arena.
The loss marked the second-straight for the Redbirds, as Illinois State fell to 14-7 on the season and 5-5 in Missouri Valley Conference play. Wichita State improved to 18-4 overall and 7-3 in league play.
Phillips and Jackie Carmichael combined to score the first 15 points of the game for the Redbirds, but it was Dinma Odiakosa's back-to-back baskets with just over four minutes left that gave Illinois State its first lead in the first half of action. However, the Redbirds were held scoreless in the final 4:11 of the first half and Wichita State finished with an 8-0 run and held a 37-30 edge at the break.
In the second half, the Redbirds endured another four-minute scoring drought, as Wichita State went on a 13-4 run to build a 50-34 lead with 12:50 left in the game. The Redbirds were able to claw back into it and cut the lead to five points, at 70-66, with 39 seconds left, but WSU sank all four free throws in the final seconds to seal the win.
In addition to Phillips, Odiakosa was the only other Redbird to score in double digits. He finished with 10 points. Clevin Hannah led the Shockers with 22 points, while Toure' Murry finished with 12.
The Redbirds return to Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena Saturday, when Illinois State hosts Bradley in the first matchup of the Interstate-74 rivals this season. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:35 p.m.
