Jan. 28, 2012
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NORMAL, Ill. -
Capitalizing on Southern Illinois' (7-15, 4-7 MVC) shooting struggles, the Illinois State (14-8, 6-5 MVC) men's basketball team defeated the Salukis 60-40 before a crowd of 6,268 on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena in a defensive-tilted game.
Jackie Carmichael dominated Illinois State's scoring efforts early on, as he accounted for nine of the Redbirds' first 12 points. Carmichael would go on to collect his seventh double-double of the season with 11 rebounds and a game-leading 19 points. The junior forward has notched three double-doubles in his last four games.
John Wilkins also racked up a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. The double-double effort was Wilkins' third of the season.
Shooting struggles plagued both teams in the first half, as the Salukis managed to record only one basket from the field over the final 10:11 in the first half. The Redbirds were unable to take much of an advantage, however, as they also were held scoreless from the field from 6:24 to 0:33, when a Carmichael dunk lifted the Redbirds to a 26-17 lead that they would take into halftime.
Illinois State opened the second half with an 18-2 run, catapulting it to a 44-19 advantage midway through the half, as the Salukis remained cold from the field. Southern Illinois managed to sink only one basket through the first 10:03 of the second half.
The Salukis would begin to shoot better over the final 10 minutes of the game, but were unable to make up any significant ground on the Redbirds' lead. The Salukis were held to their lowest point total of the season, as they finished 15-50 (.300) from the field.
Jeff Early and Taylor Diamond both recorded 10 points to lead the Saluki effort.
Illinois State returns to action Feb. 1, when they head to Omaha, Neb. to take on No. 14 Creighton. The Redbirds' next home game will take place Feb. 4, when they welcome rival Bradley to Redbird Arena.
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