CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Milik Yarbrough had a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double, and Keyshawn Evans scored a game-high 25 points, but the Illinois State Redbirds could not overcome a 25-0 first-half UNI run in an 83-72 loss to the Panthers.
How It Happened
Illinois State jumped ahead quickly, using a lay-in by Daouda N'Diaye and a three-pointer by Keyshawn Evans to jump ahead 5-2. The Redbirds lead 10-9 after a Yarbrough three-pointer, and trailed 15-14 after an Evans free throw. UNI followed with a 25-0 run, and carried that momentum into a 41-19 halftime lead.
UNI led by as many as 31 in the second half at 64-33 with 12:27 to play in the game, before the Redbirds began its run, out-scoring the hosts 39-19 the rest of the way, closing the gap to as few as 11 at the final buzzer.
Key Moment
Yarbrough's three-pointer with 15:58 left in the first half gave Illinois State a one-point, 10-9 lead – the Redbirds' final lead of the game.
Inside the Box Score
- Yarbrough had his fourth double-double of the season with 20 points and 13 rebounds while also dishing out a team-best five assists
- Evans made six three-point baskets, scoring a game-high 25 points, and making 9-of-17 shots overall from the field.
- Phil Fayne narrowly missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds, while also dishing out three assists and grabbing two steals.
- Madison Williams scored nine points – all in the second half – and made all three of his three-point tries.
- Illinois State out-rebounded Northern Iowa 37-36, and out-scored the Panthers 53-42 in the second half.
Stat of the Game
13: Yarbrough's rebounding total set a new career-high for the junior, and was his fourth double-double of the season.
What's Next
After the first back-to-back road games of the season, the Redbirds return to Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena on Saturday, Jan. 27, when the team plays host to the Valparaiso Crusaders in a 9 p.m. tip-off on ESPN2.
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