NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State made 15 three-point baskets, including 11 in the second half, overcoming an 11-point halftime deficit to score 53 second half points, securing the 79-75 win over the UNI Panthers on Saturday afternoon in front of 6,535 fans. Â
How It Happened
Illinois State struck first in the game on the first of six William Tinsley three-pointers, and the Redbird first-half lead grew to as many as four with 10:27 to play in the period. UNI countered with a 10-0 run to take a six-point advantage over a six-minute stretch. The Panther advantage reached as many as 11 at the halftime break at 37-26.
The Redbirds started their hot-shooting second half with a Milik Yarbrough three-pointer nine seconds into the second half. Each of ISU's first five baskets in the second half were three-pointers, as Yarbrough, Tinsley, Madison Williams, Keyshawn Evans, and Tinsley again made baskets, the last of those five pushing the Redbirds to within one at 42-41. A Yarbrough three-point play a possession later put ISU ahead for the first time since halfway through the first half, and Isaac Gassman put the Redbirds up for good in the game with a three-pointer with 11:50 to play in the game. ISU's lead grew to as many as eight before the visitors trimmed the Redbird lead to four at the final buzzer.
Key Moment
Illinois State made each of its first seven three-point tries to start the second half, including a Gassman three-pointer with 11:50 left in the contest to give the hosts a lead that they would not give up again in the game..
Inside the Box Score
- Illinois State's 15 three-point field goals are tied for the third-most in a game in school history, while tying the Redbird Arena record in the process.
- Yarbrough scored a game-high 25 points, making 8-of-17 shots from the field while pulling down a team-best six rebounds and dishing out a game-high nine assists. He also added three steals in the win.
- Tinsley scored a career-high 18 points, making 6-of-9 shots – all from long range – also a career-high for three-pointers made. He pulled down three rebounds, while adding two assists, a block, and a steal.
- Evans scored 10 points, making 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, and dishing out four assists.
- Gassman chipped in nine points, making 3-of-4 shots from beyond the arc.
- Illinois State dished out 19 assists against just nine turnovers, the first time that the Redbirds had committed single-digit turnovers since exactly one month ago, when they had nine against Bradley on Jan. 17 of this season.
Stat of the Game
15-27, 11-14: Those two sets of numbers are Illinois State's three-pointers made and attempted in the game, and in the second half.
What's Next
Illinois State returns home on Wednesday, Feb. 21, when the team hosts the Drake Bulldogs in the final regular season home game of the season in a 7 p.m. tip-off at Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
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