DES MOINES, Iowa. – Despite a career-high 32 points and from senior Zach Copeland – who also tied an ISU record with eight three-pointers made in a game, Illinois State fell by an 84-74 score to the Drake Bulldogs in the Knapp Center.
How it Happened
Drake came out quickly, scoring the first six points of the game before Jaycee Hillsman drained a three-pointer and Antonio Reeves and Copeland scored back-to-back lay-ups to put the Redbirds on top at 7-6. Drake answered by scoring the next six points, and the Redbirds responded with an 8-2 run to push ahead by two points after a DJ Horne three-pointer. Leading by two with 13:02 to play in the first half, Drake went on a 12-2 run to lead by eight. The Bulldog advantage reached as many as 12 before ISU closed the half strong, holding Drake to just four points over the final five minutes of the half and cutting the deficit to four heading into the locker room at halftime.
Illinois State twice closed the gap to just one point in the second half but could not overcome the early deficit despite Copeland scoring 18 points over the final 20 minutes of the game.
Key Moment
Illinois State out-scored Drake 12-4 over the final 5:12 of the first half to close to within four heading into the locker room at halftime.
Inside the Box Score
- Copeland's 32 points are the first time a Redbird player has scored at least 30 points since Phil Fayne scored 30 against Cleveland State during the 2018-19 season.
- His eight three-point makes ties him for the single-game school record with five other players.
- He tied a career-high with seven assists in the game
- Keith Fisher III scored 13 points for the Redbirds off the bench, pulling down 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.
- Horne added eight points, five rebounds and three assists for Illinois State.
Stat of the Game
Copeland's eight three-pointers tie the Illinois State record for single-game three-pointers, as he etches his name alongside Tyler Brown, Osiris Eldridge, Tarise Bryson (twice), and Jeff Harris atop the list.
What's Next
Illinois State returns to Redbird Arena on Sunday, Jan. 19 when the squad plays host to the Loyola Ramblers in a 3 p.m. game that will be broadcast on ESPNU.
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