NORMAL, Ill. -Â Illinois State opened the defense of its Missouri Valley Conference regular season crown with a 79-52 exhibition win over Lewis on Sunday afternoon.
How It Happened
William Tinsley got things started for the Redbirds with a three-pointer on the game's first possession. The teams fought back and forth for the first 14 minutes of the game, as Lewis held a narrow 21-20 lead with 6:12 to play in the opening period. Illinois State answered with a 15-3 run over the next four minutes, and the Redbirds took a 38-29 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Illinois State scored the first 14 points of the second half, as the Redbirds held the Flyers scoreless for the first 5:37 of the second half, pushing the hosts to a 23-point lead, and cruising the rest of the way in the 27-point victory.
Key Moment
William Tinsley hit a three-point basket with 4:31 to play in the first half – his third made three-pointer of the game – sparking a 12-0 Illinois State run to give the hosts a 12-point lead, one they would not give up for the remainder of the game.
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Inside the Box Score
- Malik Yarbrough, in his first action in an Illinois State uniform, scored a game-high 25 points, making 8-of-10 shots from the field, while also pulling down eight rebounds.
- William Tinsley scored 17 points, making five three-point baskets on seven tries.
- Phil Fayne scored 12 points, hitting 4-of-10 shots and pulling down six rebounds.
- Taylor Bruninga scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds.
- Keyshawn Evans dished out a team-high four assists, as Illinois State had 13 total assists on 25 made baskets.
- Jerron Martin scored eight points with three assists and two steals.
- Illinois State made 25-of-52 shots from the field (48.1%), and 12-of-29 (41.4%) from long range.
Stat of the Game
+13 – Illinois State out-rebounded Lewis 32-to-19 in the game. The Redbirds have won each of their last 15 games when they out-rebound their opponents.
What's Next
The Redbirds open the 2017-18 regular season on Saturday, November 11, when the team travels to Fort Myers, Florida, to take on Florida Gulf Coast University in a noon (CT) tip-off.
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