NORMAL, Ill.  – Illinois State got 23 points from Jaycee Hillsman and 20 from Zach Copeland, as the Redbirds led for over 36 minutes of the game and iced the game with free throw shooting late to top the Indiana State Sycamores 74-67 on Saturday evening.
How it Happened
Indiana State scored first with a fast break lay-up, but the Redbirds scored seven straight points immediately after – five from Keith Fisher III – and Illinois State would not trail again in the contest. The Sycamores cut the gap to as few as two points at 14-12; however, the Redbird defense tightened, holding Indiana State scoreless for over three minutes, while scoring 10 points on their own to take the lead to 12, and the hosts took a nine-point, 32-23 lead into the locker room at halftime.
In the second half Illinois State increased its lead to as many as 16 points and led by 15 points following a pair of Fisher free throws with 3:20 to play, as the hosts iced the game by making 15 of its final 16 free throw attempts over the final 3:20 of the game to secure the seven-point victory.
Key Moment
An Illinois State 7-0 run, which was started by a DJ Horne steal and fast break lay-up and closed with a Fisher three-point play pushed the hosts to a lead that they would not give up for the remainder of the contest.
Inside the Box Score
- Hillsman scored 23 points, one off his career-high of 24 points scored against Wyoming during his time at San Jose State.
- It was his second 20-point effort this season, and his 11th double-digit scoring game this season.
- His nine rebounds tied his previous season-high which also came against Indiana State.
- His 11 free throw makes, and 14 free throw attempts, are new career-bests for the senior.
- Copeland made 5-of-13 of his shots from the field and all nine of his free throw attempts.
- His nine free throw makes are a new career-high.
- It was Copeland's fifth 20-point scoring game of the season, and sixth of his career, while marking his 22nd double-digit scoring effort on the season and 36th this season.
- Fisher III scored 13 points to go with nine rebounds and two assists in the win.
- Fisher made 4-of-7 shots from the field and 5-of-7 from the charity stripe.
- Horne scored nine points, making 4-of-9 shots from the field with a career-high-tying five rebounds.
- Illinois State out-rebounded Indiana State 36-to-35, and held the Sycamore's leading scorer, Tyreke Key, to just eight points, nine points under his scoring average this season.
Stat of the Game
Illinois State's 26 points from the free throw line are the most points scored from the charity stripe this season are a new season-high, as is the team's 33 free throw attempts.
What's Next
Illinois State takes to the road on Wednesday, Feb. 12 to face off against the UNI Panthers in a 7 p.m. tip-off at the McLeod Center.
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