Dec. 7, 2011
Box Score 
| Season Statistics 
Postgame Interview with Tim Jankovich
Play-by-Play Highlights
MOREHEAD, Ky. - Illinois State sophomore Jon Ekey celebrated his 21st birthday with a 17-point effort and Jackie Carmichael chipped in his second double-double performance in as many games, as the Redbirds escaped with a 78-73 win over Morehead State at Johnson Arena Wednesday night.
With the victory, ISU improved to 6-3 on the season, while Morehead State fell to 4-6 on the year. Carmichael and Ekey led five Redbirds in double-digits with 17 points apiece. Carmichael also added 10 rebounds for his eight career double-double. Tyler Brown tossed in 13 points for the Redbirds and Nic Moore and John Wilkins each had 10 points apiece.
Ekey pushed the Illinois State lead to 48-35, with 15:34 remaining, after draining his fifth three-point field goal of the niWilkins sank a 16-foot jumper to give the Redbirds a 54-37 lead with 13:22 left, its largest lead of the game to that point. Morehead State used an 8-0 run of its own to cut the deficit to 54-45 at the 10:50 mark and with 1:44 left in the game, the Eagles were within three points, 70-67.
Moore pushed the Redbird lead back to six points, 73-67, with a clutch three-pointer from the right corner in front of his own bench with 1:19 on the clock. MSU's Ty Proffitt matched the effort with a three of his own to close the gap, 73-70 with 1:02 remaining. Moore sank the second of two free throws to put ISU up, 74-70. Marsell Holden was fouled following a steal on an inbounds pass and converted both shots from the line, as MSU trailed, 74-72 with 30.3 left.
After being fouled, Ekey drained two more foul shots and Illinois State led, 76-72, with 26 seconds on the clock. After a made foul shot by Proffitt, Moore sealed the ISU victory with two more made free throws down the stretch.
With the game tied, 10-10, Illinois State used a 7-0 run to build a 17-10 advantage. The Redbirds pushed the lead to 34-23 following the second three-point field goal in the first half by Ekey. However, Marsell Holden buried a trey at the top of the key at the buzzer for the halftime margin, 34-26. Holden led the Eagles with 21 points and Proffitt finished with 18.
Illinois State now has 11 days off as the campus heads into finals week next week. The Redbirds return to action on Dec. 18, when ISU hosts Norfolk State on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
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