Feb. 9, 2010
Final Stats
PEORIA, Ill. - Jackie Carmichael registered the go-ahead bucket, blocked a shot on the defensive end and pulled down a critical rebound, all in the final 49 seconds of Tuesday night's game at Bradley. Still, the Redbirds needed one more defensive stop and the last of Dinma Odiakosa's career-high 15 rebounds to help Illinois State snap a seven-game road losing streak to Bradley, 62-61, in front of a capacity crowd at Carver Arena Tuesday night.
Carmichael scored 12 points, pulled down seven boards and blocked two shots - none bigger than on a lay-up attempt by Sam Maniscalco with 38 seconds remaining - and was joined in double figure scoring by Austin Hill (14) and Dinma Odiakosa (12). Seven of Odiakosa's rebounds came on the offensive end, helping the Redbirds (17-8, 8-6 MVC) to an 18-7 advantage on second-chance points and a 41-32 edge in rebounds overall.
Illinois State pulled within two early in the second half after being down by as many as 14 in the opening period, only to fall behind by 12 with 10:39 remaining in the contest. The Redbirds finally evened the score on a free throw by Odiakosa to make it 54-54 with 4:52 to play. Odiakosa gave Illinois State its first lead at 58-56 with a lay-up at the 2:12 mark.
Bradley's Maniscalco wrapped a lay-up and a three-pointer around a jumper by Hill to put Bradley (12-12, 7-7 MVC) back on top with 1:07 remaining, but after trailing and fighting for so long, Carmichael and the Redbirds would not be denied. It took three attempts but Carmichael tipped in the game's eventual winning basket with 49 seconds to go, then sent a Maniscalco floater into the second row. Carmichael pulled down a defensive rebound on the ensuing play and was fouled.
Carmichael missed the front end of a one-and-one, but the defense held and Odiakosa cleared the defensive glass on the next Bradley possession. A desperation three by Maniscalco never got off in time at the end of the game and the Birds held on for the win.
Maniscalco led all scorers with 17 points and Taylor Brown added 13 for the Braves. Bradley shot 51.7 percent in the first half before the Redbirds clamped down and limited the Braves to 35.7 percent shooting in the second half.
Illinois State will visit Creighton (Feb. 13) for a third-place match-up with the Bluejays at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb. and return home Feb. 17 against Missouri State.
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