NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State trio of Phil Fayne, Milik Yarbrough, and Josh Jefferson each scored 17 points, helping propel the Redbirds to a season-opening, 74-66 victory on Tuesday evening.
How It Happened
The Redbirds found themselves in an early hole, trailing by as many as six points three minutes into the contest, and trailed by five with 16:12 to play in the opening period. Illinois State responded and rattled off an 11-3 run to turn the five-point deficit into a four-point advantage. The hosts would not trail again in the game, pushing ahead by as many as 11 in the half, before settling for a 37-28 halftime advantage.
ISU's lead grew to as many as 14 as Jefferson opened the scoring in the second half with a three-pointer, and Zach Copeland followed with a lay-in to push the Redbird advantage to 14 at 42-28. The Eagles would not go quietly in the game and fought back to climb to within as few as three points with 5:29 to play in the game. ISU scored the next six points to put the lead at nine, and iced the game with four straight free throws, two each from Yarbrough and Keyshawn Evans to give the game its eight-point final margin.
Key Moment
A high-arching jumper from Evans with 16:08 to play in the first half started ISU on its 11-3 run, giving the Redbirds a lead they would not give up for the remainder of the game.
Inside the Box Score
- Fayne started out his 2018-19 season in strong fashion with a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double, while adding a block and a steal.
- In his official Redbird debut, Jefferson made 5-of-6 shots from long range off of the bench, scoring 17 points while adding two rebounds an assist, and a blocked shot.
- Yarbrough scored 17 points, and narrowly missed a double-double with nine rebounds while dishing out two assists.
- Copeland scored nine points with a game-high five assists and just one turnover.
- Evans scored seven points with three assists and a steal.
Stat of the Game
5-6: ISU junior college transfer Jefferson started his Redbird basketball career in style, making 5-of-6 shots from long range.
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What's Next
Illinois State returns to action on Saturday, November 10, when the team travels to Nashville, Tennessee, to take on the Belmont Bruins in a 7 p.m. tip-off.
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