Dec. 29, 2010
Final Stats |
Notes |
Photo Gallery 
Post-Game Interview
Play-by-Play Highlights
NORMAL Ill. -
Illinois State (8-4) suffered its first loss in a Missouri Valley Conference opener under head coach Tim Jankovich, falling to Creighton (9-4), 64-53, Wednesday night at Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
Anthony Cousin and Blake Mishler led the Redbirds in scoring with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Wednesday's 10 points was Cousin's second double-digit game of the season; with the first coming against Montana State (Dec. 4). Tony Lewis and Jon Ekey led Illinois State in rebounds with seven each.
Creighton's Antoine Young tied his season-high with 21 points to lead all scorers. Gregory Echenique added 14 points, and led the team in rebounds with seven.
The Redbirds jumped out to an early 5-0 lead after Jackie Carmichael scored a quick four points. Creighton closed the gap quickly, but ISU kept its lead going into the first media timeout, 10-7 with 14:35 remaining. Young scored 10 of Creighton's first 14 points as Illinois State and the Bluejays exchanged baskets.
Creighton took its first lead of the game, 23-22 with 6:47 left in the first half after a couple of free throws by Young. ISU and Creighton exchanged leads three times before the Bluejays took their biggest lead of the game to that point, 31-27, with 3:39 remaining in the first half. Creighton went on a 21-9 run over the last 10:57 to end the half and extend its lead, 38-29, at the half.
Creighton continued its run in the second half with four points early, but the Redbirds answered with their first field goal in nearly seven minutes with a three-pointer from Ekey. The Redbirds went on an 8-0 run to narrow the Bluejay lead, 42-37, with 13:29 left in the second half; but Creighton ended the Redbird run and extended its lead back to 10, 52-42, with 9:47 left in the second half. Illinois State trimmed the lead to, 57-49, with 3:14 remaining but would get no closer as Creighton held on for the victory.
The Redbirds will return to the court Saturday, Jan. 1, when they travel to Missouri State for a 7:05 p.m. game.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
