NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State used a 10-0 run between the end of the first half and beginning of the second half and led for over 32 minutes, as the Redbirds moved into a tie for first place in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 65-57 win on Saturday evening over the Loyola Ramblers.
How It Happened
Loyola jumped out first, leading by as many as four with 16:05 to play in the first half before the Redbirds ran off a 7-0 run, capped by an Isaac Gassman lay-in to put ISU ahead 10-7. Loyola fought back and took a three-point lead, and the teams were tied at 17-17 with 7:10 to play in the half before ISU reeled off eight straight points to lead 25-17. After the Ramblers closed back within two points with 2:15 to play Milik Yarbrough hit back-to-back three-pointers, and Keyshawn Evans hit a driving lay-in to stretch Illinois State's lead to 10 with a half-closing 8-0 run.
Phil Fayne got the action started for the Redbirds in the second half, pushing the margin to 12 and closing out a 10-0 run. Illinois State's lead grew to as many as 16 as late as 2:48 to play in the game. Loyola chipped away at the deficit, climbing back to within single digits at eight when the final buzzer sounded.
Key Moment
For the second straight game Illinois State made a run that encompassed halftime, this one a 10-0 run that pushed ISU's lead from two points to 12.
Inside the Box Score
- Yarbrough scored a game-high 21 points, making 7-of-14 of his shots from the field, 3-of-5 from long range, and a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe.
- Evans made 4-of-8 of his shots from long range, his fourth consecutive game where he has made at least three three-point field goals. Evans also dished out a team-high three assists.
- Zach Copeland scored 11 points, converting on half of his six field goal attempts while also pulling down three rebounds.
- All eight players in uniform for the Redbirds reached the scoring column.
- Fayne pulled down six rebounds with two blocked shots and two assists.
- Rey Idowu pulled down six rebounds with a career-high two assists while scoring two points.
Stat of the Game
8,107: Illinois State's home attendance for the game was the largest for ISU since Feb. 11, 2017 against Bradley.
What's Next
The Redbirds remain at home on Tuesday, Feb. 5, as Illinois State hosts Valparaiso in a 7 p.m. tip-off on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
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