NORMAL, Ill.  – Five ISU players scored in double figures led by Phil Fayne's 20 points, as Illinois State overcame a 14-point second-half deficit to prevail 92-89 in overtime in front of 6,187 Redbird Arena fans on Wednesday evening.
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How It Happened
The teams battled back-and-forth for nearly the entire stanza, as the Redbirds jumped out to a quick six-point lead at 9-3. ISU took a one-point, 25-24 lead late in the first half on a Keyshawn Evans three-point basket; however, the Cougars closed the half strong – including scoring the final six points of the period – to take a nine-point 40-31 lead into the locker room at halftime.
In the second half the visitors pushed to a 14-point lead on a Yoeli Childs three-pointer – the widest margin by either team in the contest. Following a timeout, ISU began its comeback, and ran off five straight points on a lay-in by Fayne and a three-pointer from Milik Yarbrough. BYU pushed the lead back to 10 at 60-50, setting up a 12-4 Illinois State run to close back within two at 64-62. Another 6-0 run, including a jumper from Fayne, a lay-up by Zach Copeland and a lay-in by Josh Jefferson gave ISU its first lead since the early portions of the game. Illinois State's lead grew to as many as four following a Yarbrough three-pointer, but BYU ran off six straight to take a two-point lead, one that stood until Copeland made a pair of free throws with two seconds left in the half to send the game into an extra five minutes of action with each team tied at 78.
Illinois State scored six of the first seven points in the extra stanza; however, BYU fought back and took a one-point lead on a Childs free throw. The Redbirds closed the game strong, making four free throws over the final 45 seconds – two from Fayne and two from Jefferson – to seal the win.
Key Moment
Illinois State used a 9-1 run during the middle of the second half to cut a 10-point deficit to two points.
Inside the Box Score
- Fayne recorded his second double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds, blocking two shots, picking up two steals, and making all six of his free throw tries.
- Yarbrough scored 19 points – including making 4-of-5 from long range – with eight rebounds, three assists and a steal.
- Jefferson went 4-of-12 from the field and 3-of-9 from long range, reaching double-figures for the sixth time this season, while also adding three assists, three steals, and four assists in his first starting role of his Division I career.
- Evans scored a season-high 15 points, making 3-of-7 from long range, and added two rebounds and two assists.
- Copeland flirted with a triple-double with 14 points, and career-highs with seven rebounds and seven assists, while also converting two key free throws with two seconds left in the game to send the contest to overtime.
- BYU's Yoeli Childs scored 27 points with 16 rebounds, while TJ Haws scored 22 points with eight rebounds, as the pair each had six assists.
Stat of the Game
6-2: The 6-2 start is Illinois State's best eight-game start to a season in head coach Dan Muller's career.
What's Next
Illinois State returns to action at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, when the Redbirds host the San Diego State Aztecs in the Missouri Valley Conference / Mountain West Conference Challenge.
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