GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman  – Illinois State used a 15-0 first-half run and had four players in double-figure scoring to hold off Akron in the second game of the Cayman Islands Classic 73-68.
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How It Happened
Akron came out strong, and did not trail through the first five-plus minutes of the game. With the Zips holding onto a four-point, 10-6 advantage, the Redbird defense tightened as the offense awoke. ISU scored 15 straight points over a four minute span, turning the four-point deficit into an 11-point advantage. The Redbird lead grew to as many as 13, and ISU led by 11 with just over a minute to play until Akron scored the final six points of the half to cut the deficit to five at the break.
Holding onto the lead from the 14-minute mark of the first half, the Redbirds continued to keep the advantage until the Zips made a three-pointer with 16:10 to play in the game to re-gain the lead. Akron's lead grew as high as four, and the Redbirds once again responded with a run, as a 12-2 ISU run, capped by a Phil Fayne dunk put Illinois State on top for good in the game. The lead was trimmed to as few as two with just over a minute to play; however, ISU made 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch to ice the game.
Key Moment
Illinois State's early 15-0 run put the momentum of the game firmly on ISU's side.
Inside the Box Score
- Josh Jefferson scored a career-high 19 points for Illinois State, making 6-of-9 shots from the field and 4-of-5 from long range. He also made all three of his free throw tries and pulled down five rebounds.
- Fayne scored 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe. He pulled down nine rebounds and added a blocked shot.
- Milik Yarbrough pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds, while scoring 12 points and dishing out three assists.
- Zach Copeland dished out a career-high six assists while scoring 11 points with four rebounds.
- As a team, Illinois State out-rebounded Akron 46-to-37 and had a 12-to-9 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Stat of the Game
16: Milik Yarbrough's rebounding total smashed his previous career-high of 13.
What's Next
The Redbirds await their opponent, as they will face off against the winner of tonight's St. Bonaventure vs. Boise State game, to be played at 4 p.m. CT
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