NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Redbirds got 34 points from junior guard Antonio Reeves, as four players reached double-figure scoring in an 85-59 exhibition win over NCAA Division II Davenport on Thursday evening.
The Redbirds open the regular season on Tuesday, November 9 when ISU hosts UNCW in a 7 p.m. tip-off at Redbird Arena.
Reeves' 34 points came on 10-of-18 shooting from the field, 6-of-10 from long range, and a perfect 8-of-8 at the charity stripe. Josiah Strong added 14 points for the 'Birds, while Mark Freeman had 11 points and a game-high 10 assists, and Kendall Lewis 10 points, eight rebounds, and four blocked shots.
ISU out-rebounded the Panthers 48-to-42, as Lewis had a game-high eight rebounds, while Sy Chatman and Liam McChesney each grabbed six rebounds, with Harouna Sissoko chipping in five. Freeman grabbed three steals to lead the team, as ISU had a 17-to-13 assist-to-turnover ratio for the game.
The Redbirds and Panthers went back-and-forth for the first 15 minutes of the game, before ISU used an 11-2 run to push ahead by nine points late in the first half, and the 'Birds took an eight-point, 36-28 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The teams traded baskets for the first minute and a half in the second half before ISU ran off an 11-0 run including a pair of three-point plays, pushing the Redbird advantage to 20 just over three minutes into the second period. The margin never reached single digits again, as the hosts cruised to the 26-point win.
Davenport was led by Chris Rollins who scored 14 points with six rebounds and four assists, while Jarrin Randall scored 12 points to go with two rebounds.
Illinois State was 30-of-69 (43.5%) from the field in the win and was 13-of-30 (43.3%) from behind the arc and 66.7 percent (12-of-18) from the charity stripe. Davenport was 23-of-66 (34.8%) shooting in the game, was 8-of-21 (38.1%) from long range, and 38.5 percent (5-of-13) from the free throw line.
Single game tickets for men's basketball home games will start at $10 with group prices starting at $6 per ticket.
All season long, fans can purchase Family Ticket Packs. These will include four upper bowl tickets for $44 as well as four hot dogs, chips, and drinks. Additional tickets and food vouchers can be added to the four-pack for $11 each. There will also be an option to purchase partial plans of 3 or 6 games. With this package, you will be able to select the games that work best for you.
Season tickets for both men's and women's basketball seasons are still available for purchase. For more information on single-game or season tickets, go to GoRedbirds.com/tickets or call the Redbird Athletics ticket office at 309-438-8000.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
