VALPARAISO, Ind. – Despite 19 points from Keith Fisher III and 16 from DJ Horne, the Illinois State Redbirds fell 80-70 to the Valparaiso Crusaders in the opening game of the month of February.
How it Happened
The Illinois State defense came out strong in the game, holding Valparaiso without a point through nearly the first four and a half minutes, while pushing ahead to a 5-0 lead during the same span. The ISU lead grew to as many as six after a Fisher paint jumper gave the Redbirds a 10-4 lead. Valparaiso answered by scoring the next seven points, taking their first lead of the game at 11-10. A Zach Copeland three-pointer quickly gave the Redbirds the advantage back before six consecutive Crusader points gave the hosts a lead they would not give up for the remainder of the half. The first-half Redbird deficit grew to as many as nine points with 50 seconds to play in the half before Antonio Reeves made a free throw and Horne two charity stripe attempts to close the gap to six heading into the locker room at halftime.
The Redbirds hit three-pointers on their second, third and fourth possessions by Copeland, Horne, and Fisher, respectively, the third of those putting Illinois State back ahead as the lead changed hands six times in the first six minutes of the second half. With Valparaiso trailing by two at 43-41, the Crusaders used an 11-0 run to push ahead for good in the contest. Valpo's lead grew to as many as 14 late in the second half before the Redbirds mounted a late run to close within 10 at the final buzzer.
Key Moment
Valparaiso's second-half 11-0 run turned a two-point Redbird lead into a nine-point Crusader advantage, the final lead change of the contest.
Inside the Box Score
- Fisher scored a game-high 19 points, one off of his season-high, as he made 7-of-11 shots from the field, his only three-point attempt, and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe.
- He also pulled down seven rebounds while dishing out two assists.
- Fisher now has nine double-digit scoring games this season.
- Horne scored his 16 points on 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc, 5-of-11 from the field while making both of his free throw tries.
- The freshman also pulled down three rebounds with three assists.
- The game was his 10th double-digit scoring game of the season.
- Jaycee Hillsman scored 11 points, his third consecutive double-digit scoring effort and ninth of the season, as he made 3-of-8 shots from the field and all five of his free throw attempts.
- Copeland scored 11 points, making 4-of-12 shots from the field and 3-of-10 from beyond the arc.
- The game was his 20th double-digit scoring game of the season, as he has missed double-figures just twice this season.
Stat of the Game
The Redbirds held MVC-leading scorer Javon Freeman-Liberty to just 12 points (nearly 10 below his average).
What's Next
Illinois State remains on the road and will travel to Springfield, Missouri, to take on the Missouri State Bears on Wednesday, Feb. 5, with a 7 p.m. tip-off.
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