PEORIA, Ill. – Playing without leading rebounder and second-leading scorer Phil Fayne, the Illinois State Redbirds got 25 points from Milik Yarbrough, and 10 points from Keyshawn Evans; however, dropped a 70-58 battle at Bradley on Wednesday night.
How It Happened
Bradley jumped out quickly, pushing to a 7-0 lead through the first six minutes of the game, as the Illinois State offense struggled to get its footing. The Redbirds struck first with a pair of Keyshawn Evans free throws, and a possession later got a three-pointer from the junior to climb within two. After a jumper on the other end, junior William Tinsley converted on a three-pointer to cut the deficit to one at 9-8. Bradley scored the next six points to push ahead by seven, and the Braves' lead grew to as many as 12 in the period, before Illinois State fought back, closing the gap to seven at halftime on a jumper by Milik Yarbrough.
In the second half the Bradley lead reached its zenith at 49-32 with 12:28 to play, before the Redbirds started chipping away at the deficit. Illinois State got back within as few as six with 7:10 to play on two straight Isaac Gassman jumpers, but could not get any closer in the 12-point loss.
Key Moment
Gassman made baskets on back-to-back possessions – each after offensive rebounds – to cut the Redbird deficit from 17 points to six over a five minute span.
Inside the Box Score
- Yarbrough scored a game-high 25 points, making 8-of-15 shots from the field and 8-of-9 from the charity stripe. He also pulled down six rebounds and dished out two assists.
- Evans, playing for the first time after missing two games, scored 10 points on 2-of-8 shooting from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
- Gassman scored seven points with five rebounds and two assists.
- Daouda N'Diaye scored four points, but pulled down a team-high eight rebounds, and blocked two shots.
- Illinois State had 12 assists in the game – two assists each from five different players – against just 11 turnovers.
- The Redbirds made 16-of-21 free throws, a percentage of .762.
Stat of the Game
+3: After being out-rebounded by 14 in the first half, the Redbirds out-rebounded Bradley by three in the second half.
What's Next
Illinois State returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 17, when the Redbirds hosts UNI in a 5 p.m. tip-off at Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
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