Dec. 19, 2012
Final Stats
Postgame Interview with Dan Muller
Postgame Interview with Bryant Allen
DAYTON, Ohio - Dayton missed two potential game-winning shots with less than three second to play, and Illinois State held on to edge the Flyers, 74-73, Wednesday night at UD Arena.
The Redbirds (8-3) earned their fourth-straight win and second road victory of the season, while the Flyers (8-3) suffered just their second home loss of the year, in front of 11,897. Jackie Carmichael led all scorers with 25 points and 12 rebounds, his third double-double of the season and 24th of his career. Tyler Brown and Jon Ekey also reached double-figures with 16 and 13 points respectively. Dayton's Kevin Dillard and Dyshawn Pierre each scored a team-high 14 points.
Both teams were evenly matched in the first half, with Illinois State jumping out to an early 4-0 lead on a Carmichael jumper and dunk. After Dayton pulled within 11-10, the Redbirds answered with a 12-3 run from 13:57 until 10:43, to take a 23-13 advantage. However, the Flyers responded late in the first half with an 8-0 run to tie the game, 38-38. ISU regained its advantage with a three pointer by Bryant Allen, and at halftime, the Redbirds led 42-40.
In the second half, Dayton took its first lead of the game with a jumper by Dillard, which gave the Flyers a 51-50 advantage at the 13:18 mark. But the lead was short-lived, as Jordan Threloff responded with a layup 10 seconds later. Later in the half, Dayton built their largest advantage of the game, at 60-56 with 9:56 remaining. However, the Redbirds answered with a key 12-2 run, to go in front, 68-62, at the 5:33 mark.
With 1:59 remaining and Illinois State leading, 74-67, the Flyers scored six-straight points, capped by Devin Oliver's layup with 35 seconds left. Then Johnny Hill missed a free throw with 29 seconds remaining, setting up Dayton for the final shot, with ISU leading, 74-73. Oliver missed a three-point attempt with two seconds left, and teammate Khari Price rebounded, but his one-handed push shot missed off the rim at the buzzer.
After notching another victory, Illinois State returns home for its final non-conference game ahead of the Missouri Valley Conference season. ISU hosts Austin Peay at 2:05 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22 on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena. The Redbirds will then open the Valley season at Indiana State on Dec. 30. Tickets to Saturday's game are available by calling (309) 438-8000.
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