Illinois State holds off Illinois-Chicago 71-70
NORMAL, Ill. -- Milik Yarbrough totaled 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists and Keyshawn Evans hit 3 of 4 free throws in the final 23 seconds to help Illinois State hold off Illinois-Chicago 71-70 on Tuesday night.
Phil Fayne added 16 points and six rebounds for the Redbirds (6-6), who turned 20 Flames turnovers into 15 points. Evans, Illinois State's leading scorer at 19.2 points per game, made just 3 of 14 from the field and just 1 of 8 from 3-point range, but his free throws in the final seconds helped Illinois State win back-to-back games for the second time this season.
Marcus Ottey led the Flames (4-7) with 23 points on 10-of-12 shooting. Dikembe Dixson scored 19 and Jordan Blount snared 11 rebounds as UIC controlled the boards 44-35.
The game was tied 14 times and there were 14 lead changes.
UIC led 29-25 before the Redbirds closed the half on an 8-0 run to lead 33-29. UIC led most of the second half, but Yarbrough's 3-point play put Illinois State up 64-62 with 3:46 remaining and his layup with 1:51 remaining was the Redbirds' last basket and gave them a 68-63 lead.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Tom Eades
- Paul Janssen
- Bo Boroski
2023-24 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Indiana State | 17-3 | - | 32-7 |
Drake | 16-4 | 1 | 28-7 |
Bradley | 13-7 | 4 | 23-12 |
Belmont | 12-8 | 5 | 20-13 |
Northern Iowa | 12-8 | 5 | 19-14 |
Southern Illinois | 11-9 | 6 | 19-13 |
Illinois State | 9-11 | 8 | 15-17 |
Murray State | 9-11 | 8 | 12-20 |
Missouri State | 8-12 | 9 | 17-16 |
Evansville | 6-14 | 11 | 17-18 |
UIC | 4-16 | 13 | 12-21 |
Valparaiso | 3-17 | 14 | 7-25 |