NORMAL, Ill.  – The Illinois State offense went cold in the second half, making just 7-of-26 shots in the second stanza as Valparaiso overcame a 17-point deficit in a 65-62 Crusader win at Redbird Arena on Saturday evening.
How it Happened
Illinois State jumped out quickly with a three-pointer from DJ Horne and two additional three-pointers, one each from Zach Copeland and Abdou Ndiaye put the hosts ahead 9-4. After Valparaiso closed the gap to a pair with 12:15 to play in the half, ISU ran off 12 consecutive points to lead by 14. The Redbirds scored the final 10 points of the second half to turn a seven-point lead to 17 heading into the break at halftime.
Key Moment
Valparaiso got three consecutive baskets from sophomore guard Javon Freeman-Liberty to close the game, turning a three-point Illinois State lead into a three-point Valparaiso victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Copeland scored 17 points, making 6-of-15 shots from the field and 4-of-9 from long range.
- The game was his 23rd double-figure scoring game of the season, and the 12th time this season that he has made three or more three-point field goals.
- Horne reached double-figures for the 12th time this season by making 6-of-10 shots from the field and 2-of-5 from beyond the arc.
- His two assists were tied for the top total on the team, the third time this season he has led the team in assists.
- The Redbirds saw scoring from nine of the 11 players that saw action in the game, including the first Division I collegiate three-pointers from Abdou Ndiaye and Lijah Donnelly.
- Keith Fisher III pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds, his third double-digit rebounding game of the season, while grabbing a team-high-tying two steals.
Stat of the Game
Illinois State led for 37:43 in the game, while Valparaiso held an advantage for just 14 total seconds in the contest.
What's Next
Illinois State travels north to Chicago to face off against the Loyola Chicago Ramblers in a 7 p.m. tip-off on Wednesday, February 19.
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