NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Redbirds fell behind early and were never able to gain their footing against MVC co-leader Bradley on Wednesday night, as the 'Birds dropped the second game of the series by a 79-61 final score.
Malachi Poindexter scored a team-high 15 points while Darius Burford and Kendall Lewis scored 12 and 11, respectively. Lewis' eight rebounds paced the team, while Burford dished out a game-high-tying five assists.
The visitors scored the first nine points of the game before ISU was able to reach the scoring column on a pair of Poindexter free throws. ISU trailed by eight with 7:04 to play in the game before the visitors ran off nine consecutive points to take a 41-21 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Redbirds got as close as 14 in the second half with 2:05 to play in the contest in the 18-point Bradley win.
Bradley was led by Malevy Leons who scored 21 points while Rienk Mast had a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double.
The Redbirds return to action on Saturday, February 11 when the team travels to northwest Indiana to take on the Valparaiso Crusaders in a 6 p.m. tip-off.
TEAM NOTES
- Illinois State is now 10-16 (5-10 MVC) on the season while Bradley is 18-8 (11-4 MVC).
- Illinois State used a starting lineup of 0 Luke Kasubke, 1 Malachi Poindexter, 3 Seneca Knight, 13 Liam McChesney, and 22 Kendall Lewis
- This is the fourth time this lineup has been used this season.
- Tonight's game is the 138th time these two teams have met on the basketball court
- Bradley leads the all-time series 71-67.
- Illinois State won the opening tip.
- The first Illinois State points of the game came with 13:46 to play in the first half on a pair of Malachi Poindexter free throws.
- Illinois State's first sub was Harouna Sissoko with 17:04 to play in the first half.
- Bradley led 41-21 at halftime.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
- Malachi Poindexter
- For the 11th time this season he scored in double-figures
- Hit multiple three-pointers in a game for the 13th time this season
- Darius Burford
- Gave out 4+ assists for the fifth time this season
- Scored in double-figures for the third straight game, and 17th time this season
- Kendall Lewis
- Scored in double-figures for the fourth time in his last five games, and the 14th time this season.
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