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DAN MULLER INTERVIEW | PARIS LEE INTERVIEW
NORMAL, Ill. – Paris Lee scored a game-high 19 points and sank two free throws with 12.2 seconds remaining to ice a 58-53 victory as the Illinois State men's basketball team defeated No. 21 Wichita State Saturday night on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena, handing the Shockers their first Missouri Valley Conference loss of the season.
Lee was joined in double-figures by Deontae Hawkins and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell. Hawkins scored 14 points and added a game-high 10 rebounds to record his first double-double of the season while Akoon-Purcell scored 12 points to go along with nine rebounds and four assists.
The Redbirds (14-11, 8-4 MVC) opened 0-5 from the field and Wichita (17-6, 11-1 MVC) built an 8-0 lead in that timespan. However, Hawkins got ISU on the board with a three from the corner and Akoon-Purcell connected on a pair of free throws to pull ISU within three. Free throws would become the story of the first half for the Redbirds who continued to struggle from the field. While ISU managed to hit just two of its first 20 shots, the Redbirds hit their first six free throws to stay in the game.
Following a tip in from Akoon-Purcell with 11:28 to play in the first half, the Redbirds did not make another field goal for 7:20 when Lee hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key. Lee then made a layup on the following possession to trim the Shocker lead to nine, 26-17.
Unfazed by the mini-run from Lee, Wichita responded with five-straight points, but out of a timeout Akoon-Purcell converted a layup off a tough drive to the hoop. The next possession, Quintin Brewer scored off a nice feed from MiKyle McIntosh and the Redbirds again had the deficit down to 10. A basket from Wichita's Shaq Morris would close the half and the Shockers took a 33-21 lead into halftime break.
The 21 first half points were the fewest scored in the first half this season and ISU's 20 percent shooting was its lowest in any half this season. Despite the cold shooting, ISU stayed in the game by outrebounding WSU, 22-18, and limiting Wichita to only one shot per possession. The Shockers grabbed just two offensive rebounds in the first half.
The teams traded baskets to open the second half and with 16:43 to play, Akoon-Purcell converted a three-point play after a basket and a foul. Lee forced a turnover on the ensuing Wichita possession and then canned a three-pointer to bring ISU within six. It was the closest ISU had been since the 10:15 mark in the first half.
The ISU run extended to 14-1 a few plays later as Nick Banyard buried a three from the corner to trim the deficit to three with 14:49 to play. The Redbirds continued to fight their way back during a 4:25 drought from Wichita State, and with 10:05 to play Banyard flushed a two-handed jam to tie the game at 41. It was the first tie since the opening tip. On the next ISU possession Hawkins gave ISU its first lead of the game with a 3-pointer from the right wing.
Following Hawkins' three, the game turned into a seesaw affair as the teams exchanged baskets. Hawkins continued to supply the big play when ISU needed it, scoring on two-straight possessions to keep ISU in the lead. After a Connor Frankamp 3-pointer, Lee sank a pair of free throws to put ISU up 56-53 with three minutes to play.
The score remained the same as the game entered the final minute and with 16 seconds remaining Van Vleet missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer. Lee grabbed the rebound and was fouled. He went to the line and sank both free throws to seal the Redbird win, 58-53.
For all of ISU's shooting woes in the first half, the Redbirds outscored Wichita State 37-20 in the second half. Illinois State finished 27 percent from the field and outrebounded Wichita, 46-35. The Redbirds also finished 22-for-26 at the free throw line, which set a new season-high for made free throws. The Redbirds didn't trail for the rest of the game after the 7:48 mark.
The win was the first-ever win over a ranked MVC foe at Redbird Arena and the second overall victory over a ranked opponent. The other came on Dec. 7, 2013 versus No. 25 Dayton. Illinois State has now earned a win over a Top-25 team in five-consecutive seasons.
The Redbirds will be back in action Feb. 11 at Evansville. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
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