NORMAL, Ill.  – Illinois State's four-game win streak came to an end on Saturday, Dec. 1, as the Redbirds fell to the San Diego State Aztecs by a 75-65 final score in a game in the final year of the Missouri Valley / Mountain West Challenge.
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How It Happened
Illinois State jumped out quickly with a free throw from Phil Fayne and a jumper by Milik Yarbrough to put ISU ahead 3-0. SDSU ran off eight straight points to jump ahead to a five-point lead, one that they would not give up for the remainder of the contest. The Redbirds fought back and climbed to within one on a pair of free throw by Fayne; however, the visitors came back with eight in a row to lead by nine at 16-7. The SDSU lead grew to as many as 11 in the first half before ISU energized the 6,245 fans in attendance with an 8-0 run of its own to climb to within three on a Josh Jefferson three-point basket. Illinois State – after trailing by 10 with 1:13 to play fought back and scored five points in the last 1:03 to cut the deficit to five at the halftime break.
Illinois State kept the momentum gained during the late first-half run to climb within three at 39-36, but that would be as close as ISU would get for the remainder of the game. The deficit reached as many as 14 with 8:39 to play in the game, before the Redbirds began chipping away at the deficit. ISU climbed back to within as few as eight down the stretch, including with eight seconds to play in the game, but the early deficit was too much to overcome in the eventual 10-point loss.
Key Moment
San Diego State's early 8-0 turned a three-point ISU advantage into a lead that the Aztecs would not give up for the remainder of the contest.
Inside the Box Score
- Fayne reached double-figure scoring for the fifth consecutive game and made a career-high 12 free throws on 15 tries in the contest.
- Yarbrough had a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double, and added a pair of assists.
- Jefferson made 4-of-7 shots from long range, scoring 14 points to go with a pair of made free throws.
- Zach Copeland scored nine points in the loss, while grabbing three rebounds and dishing out two assists.
- William Tinsley scored six points with six rebounds, a blocked shot, and a season-high three steals.
Stat of the Game
11: Illinois State committed just 11 turnovers, the sixth time in nine games that the Redbirds have committed 12 or fewer in a game.
What's Next
The Redbirds return to the court on Wednesday, Dec. 5, when the squad travels to Chicago to face off against UIC in a game that is slated to start at 6 p.m. and will be broadcasted on NBC Sports Chicago.
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