NORMAL, Ill. – Seven players scored at least eight points, including a game-high 15 points from Zach Copeland, as the Illinois State Redbirds topped the Lindenwood Lions on Saturday afternoon by a 79-62 final score.
How It Happened
The Redbirds struck first with a jumper by Milik Yarbrough, but the Lions would score four straight to take a lead – its largest of the game – at 4-2. Lindenwood kept the lead at 5-4 with 15:36 to play before Copeland gave ISU the lead for good with his first of three three-point baskets, starting a 7-0 Redbird run. Illinois State's lead grew to as many as 14 at the break with ISU closing the first half on an 8-0 run to lead 36-22 at the break.
ISU used an early 10-0 run to double it's 10-point lead with 17:09 to play. The Redbird advantage grew to 25, and ISU cruised to the 17-point win.
Key Moment
ISU ran off seven straight points starting with Copeland's three-pointer with 15:32 to play in the game, and the Redbirds never trailed again in the contest.
Inside the Box Score
- Copeland scored a game-high 15 points, making 6-of-9 shots from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range. He also dished out three assists and pulled down four rebounds.
- Josh Jefferson added 14 points, making 4-of-6 from long range and 5-of-8 overall. He added a career-high two blocked shots, four rebounds, and two assists.
- Phil Fayne scored 13 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 FT) and pulled down seven rebounds in 28 minutes of work.
- William Tinsley narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds and added a pair of assists.
- Yarbrough scored nine points with a team-high-tying six assists and added four rebounds and a blocked shot.
- Keyshawn Evans also scored nine points (3-6 FG, 2-4 3FG) while tying for the team- and season-high six assists.
- Rey Idowu had career-highs with eight points and seven rebounds in the team's win.
- Illinois State had a 21-to-15 assist-to-turnover ratio, and out-rebounded the Lions 39-33.
- The Redbirds had their first game of shooting over .500 this season as ISU made 29-of-54 from the field (53.7%) and made 13-of-28 (46.4%) from long range.
Stat of the Game
9: No Redbird in the game took more than nine shots, as Copeland went 6-of-9 for the most shots.
What's Next
The Redbirds return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 28, when the team plays host to the BYU Cougars of the West Coast Conference at 7 p.m. on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
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