Feb. 12, 2011
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NORMAL, Ill. -
Despite a career-high 23 points from Austin Hill, Illinois State was unable to take down conference-leading Missouri State, falling to the Bears 68-59 Saturday night at Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
Kyle Weems paced the Bears' scoring attack with 21 points, while Will Creekmore added 16 points and four rebounds. Missouri State improved to 20-6 overall and 12-3 in the Missouri Valley Conference, while Illinois State fell to 11-15 overall and 3-12 in the conference.
Missouri State took an early 9-6 lead and held it through the 14 minute mark of the first half. Weems paced the Bears with five points in the first six minutes, while the Redbirds only recorded one field goal on a layup from Blake Mishler.
Two-straight jumpers from Hill drew the Redbirds back within four points of the Bears at 14-10 at the 11:15 mark, but Missouri State countered with a quick 5-1 run to widen the lead to 19-11 with 7:43 remaining in the half.
ISU fought back and went on a 9-3 run to narrow the Bears' lead at 22-20, capped off by a three-point field goal from Alex Rubin at the 2:51 mark. Both teams traded baskets through the end of the first half, as Missouri State headed into the locker room with a 27-25 lead.
ISU managed to keep it close in the first half despite turning the ball over 11 times, compared to six for the Bears. The Redbirds also out-rebounded the Bears in the first half, pulling down 22 boards compared to just 14 for Missouri State.
The Redbirds were able to cut the Missouri State lead to one at 34-33 early in the second half after a layup from Tony Lewis, but the Bears answered with back-to-back threes from Weems and Adam Leonard to take a 40-33 lead with 15:09 left in the second half.
John Wilkins connected on a three from the right corner to cut the Missouri State lead to one once again at 42-41 with 10:53 remaining in the second half. However, the Bears responded yet again, going on a 14-5 tear to take a 56-46 lead capped off by a deep three from Leonard at the 4:46 mark of the second half.
The Bears remained in cruise control for the rest of the game, never letting the Redbirds draw closer than seven points of their lead. Consistent free throw shooting aided Missouri State in the waning moments of the game, as the Bears were able to close out the Redbirds.
ISU takes the court again Wednesday night in Omaha, Neb., against the Creighton Bluejays. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the Qwest Center.
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