ST. LOUIS  – A second-half-opening 13-0 run by Drake turned a two-point halftime deficit to double-digits, and the Redbirds were unable to recover in a season-ending 75-65 loss to the Drake Bulldogs in the opening game of the 2020 MVC Tournament.
How it Happened
Illinois State got off to a quick start in the game behind three-pointers by Zach Copeland (two) and Jaycee Hillsman as the Redbirds led 9-3. A Hillsman lay-in with 16:38 to play in the opening half gave the Redbirds their largest lead of the game at 12-5. A Drake 10-0 run gave the Bulldogs their first lead since the early portions of the game; however, the Redbirds were unable to take the lead back. Trailing by eight with 1:39 to play in the half, Illinois State got a three-point play from Hillsman and a three-pointer from Antonio Reeves to close the gap to two heading into the locker room at halftime.
The Redbird offense struggled coming out of halftime, as Drake ran off a 17-2 run to push its advantage to 17 points. The Redbirds would not go down without a fight, as the 'Birds ran off a 13-1 run to close the gap to four with 6:49 to play in the game on a trio of Ricky Torres free throws. Drake would again extend its lead to double-digits before Illinois State put in a furious late rally to climb to within seven but could not get any closer in the 10-point Redbird loss.
Key Moment
Drake opened the second half by scoring the first 13 points of the period, turning a two-point halftime lead into a 15-point advantage five and a half minutes into the period.
Inside the Box Score
- Keith Fisher III scored a team-high 14 points while pulling down 10 rebounds for the double-double.
- The junior made 4-of-12 shots from the field and added an assist
- Copeland closed his Illinois State career with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field with a team-high three assists and a steal.
- Freshman Reeves scored 13 points, hitting 3-of-4 shots from beyond the arc while adding a team-high-tying two steals.
- Hillsman scored nine points, hitting on 2-of-4 shots from beyond the arc.
- Torres, who was in the game during the Redbird comeback late in the game, scored eight points, including going 2-of-3 from the field, 1-of-1 from long range and a perfect 3-of-3 at the charity stripe.
Stat of the Game
Illinois State made 11-of-12 free throws in the contest, a percentage of 91.7, tied for the second-best single-game percentage this season for the Redbirds.
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