ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands – The Illinois State Redbirds led for over 32 minutes against Cincinnati on Friday evening, but could not overcome a late Bearcat run, falling 66-65 in the opening round of the 2019 Paradise Jam.
How it Happened
Cincinnati and Illinois State traded baskets for the first five minutes of the game, as Cincinnati led 9-7 with 15:26 to play. Illinois State ran off seven straight points to lead by five at 14-9 and didn't trail again until the final minute of the contest. The first-half margin reached as big as seven with 4:07 to play, as the 'Birds took a 33-30 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Cincinnati fought back and tied the score at 39 apiece and trailed by three with 13:56 to play in the game before the Redbirds ran off six straight points. The margin reached as many as 10 before the Bearcats fought back, taking their first lead since the early portions of the game with 34 seconds on the clock. The Redbirds got a dunk from Matt Chastain to re-take the lead; however, preseason American Athletic Conference Player of the Year Jarron Cumberland converted a lay-in with eight seconds left to secure the one-point win for the Bearcats.
Key Moment
Following a Matt Chastain dunk with 20 seconds left on the clock, Cincinnati put the ball in the hands of its top player, reigning AAC Player of the Year Cumberland, who converted to give the Bearcats the win.
Inside the Box Score
- Dedric Boyd scored a team-best 19 points, making 7-of-14 shots from the field, 2-of-4 from long range, and 3-of-4 from the charity stripe.
- Zach Copeland also scored in double-figures with a dozen points, making half of his eight shots from the field and 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.
- Nine of the 10 players that saw action scored at least four points for Illinois State.
- Abdou Ndiaye pulled down a career-best 11 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end, while scoring four points.
- Illinois State had an equal rebounding total with Cincinnati and forced 17 turnovers.
Stat of the Game
For the second straight game it was the Illinois State bench that came up big, out-scoring Cincinnati's reserves 32-to-2 in the loss.
What's Next
Illinois State will face off on Saturday evening in a 6 p.m. tip-off against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, who fell tonight to Bowling Green in the final game of the opening day.
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