CONWAY, S.C. – A career-high 29 points from junior Keyshawn Evans helped the Illinois State Redbirds to an 84-68 win over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, and to a third-place finish in the 2017 Puerto Rico Tip-Off at Myrtle Beach.
How It Happened
Tulsa came out quickly and scored the game's first five points; however, Illinois State responded with a big run. A William Tinsley three-pointer started the run, and closed with a made three-pointer by Evans. Including the two aforementioned long-range shots, Illinois State ran off 20 consecutive points to push ahead to a 20-5 lead. The margin grew to as many as 21, and the Redbirds took a 19-point, 46-27 lead into the locker room at halftime after a dunk from Phil Fayne.
The second half lead grew to as many as 21 points, and as few as 10; however, Tulsa was unable to drop the margin into single digits in the game.
Key Moment
A Madison Williams three-pointer, three minutes into the game, gave the Redbirds an 8-5 lead, one that they would not give up for the remainder of the game.
Inside the Box Score
- Evans scored a career-high 29 points, making 10-of-13 shots from the field, and all six of his long-range tries.
- Evans' 6-for-6 performance beyond the arc moved him into a four-way tie for the best single-game three-point percentage in program history.
- Milik Yarbrough Scored 18 points on 5-of-11 shooting while pulling down a team-high eight rebounds.
- Phil Fayne scored 18 points, making 6-of-8 shots from the field and 6-of-10 from the free throw line.
- Illinois State out-rebounded Tulsa 34-to-32 in the game.
- Yarbrough and Evans each dished out five assists to lead the team.
- Fayne had a team-high three steals as he and Yarbrough each had two blocked shots.
Stat of the Game
45-12: Illinois State ended its game with Boise State with a 19-5 run, and started the game against Tulsa with a 26-7 run, combining for a 39-10 stretch over a 15 minute stretch between the two games.
What's Next
The Redbirds play in their home opener on Wednesday, November 22, when ISU hosts Quincy in an 8 p.m. tip-off at Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
GoRedbirds.com: Your online source for Illinois State Athletics tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
