NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Redbirds opened the game on an 11-0 run, and closed with a 17-7 run, but it was not enough as ISU fell 76-75 to the Murray State Racers on Wednesday night inside CEFCU Arena.
Seneca Knight scored 22 points while Kendall Lewis scored 20 and Darius Burford 18. Lewis pulled down a game-high nine rebounds with Knight adding eight, and ISU out-rebounded the Racers 28-to-23. Burford had his fourth consecutive game with five or more assists, with Malachi Poindexter giving out three helpers – the ninth time this season he gave out three or more assists in a game.
The Redbirds came out on fire, scoring the first 11 points of the game including three three-pointers from Knight. The margin remained at double-figures after a Lewis three-pointer with 6:12 to play in the first half; however, the visitors closed the opening period on a 20-5 run to take a five-point, 40-35 lead into the locker room at halftime.
A 5-0 Lewis run to open the second half tied the game at 40 points apiece, and Lewis tied the game at 44 with a dunk two minutes later. Luke Kasubke gave the Redbirds their last lead of the game with a free throw with 16:11 to play in the game, as the visitors ran off an 11-2 run to lead by eight. The Murray State margin reached as high as 11 before the Redbirds climbed back, closing the game on a 17-7 run, including a 4-0 run over the game's final minute and a half to close the gap to one. A driving attempt at the buzzer would not fall, as the Racers secured the one-point victory.
The Redbirds made 53.8 percent of their shots (28-of-52) for the game, 38.1 percent (8-of-21) from long range, and 11-of-13 (84.6%) from the charity stripe. Murray State made 52.7 percent of their shots (29-of-55), half of their 18 three-point tries, and was 9-of-13 (69.2%) from the free throw line.
Rob Perry scored a game-high 25 points for the Racers, while Kenny White Jr. scored 16 and Quincy Anderson 15.
The Redbirds take to the road for their next game, traveling to Terre Haute, Indiana, on Saturday, February 18 for a 1 p.m. (CT)
TEAM NOTES
- Illinois State is now 10-18 (5-12 MVC) on the season while Murray State is 14-13 (9-8 MVC).
- Illinois State used a starting lineup of 0 Luke Kasubke, 1 Malachi Poindexter, 3 Seneca Knight, 10 Darius Burford, and 22 Kendall Lewis
- This is the first time this lineup has been used this season.
- This is the 13th different starting lineup used this season by ISU, the fifth-most different starting lineup combinations in the country.
- Tonight's game is the eighth time these two teams have met on the basketball court
- Murray State leads the all-time series between the teams 8-1
- Illinois State won the opening tip.
- The first Illinois State points of the game came with 19:45 to play in the first half on Seneca Knight three-pointer.
- Illinois State's first subs were Harouna Sissoko and Jayden Johnson with 15:14 to play in the first half.
- Murray State led 40-35 at the half
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Malachi Poindexter
- Dished out 3+ assists for the ninth time this season
- Seneca Knight
- Was the first Redbird in double-figures in the game, for his second consecutive game in double-figures, the 16th time this season and 60th of his career.
- Set a season-high with four made three-point baskets
- Darius Burford
- Tied a season-high with six assists
- Dished out 5+ assists for the fourth consecutive game
- Scored in double-figures for the fifth consecutive game, the 19th time this season, and 46th in his career.
- Kendall Lewis
- Scored in double-figures for the third straight game, the 16th time this season, and 40th of his career
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