ISU Sycamores fall at home to Illinois State, 73-69

TERRE HAUTE, IN (1-19-2005) – Lorenzo Gordon scored a game-high 26 points as the Illinois State Redbirds knocked off the Indiana State men's basketball team 73-69 Wednesday (Jan. 19) in front of 3,334 at Hulman Center. Gordon shot 11-of-13 from the floor and helped the Redbirds (12-5, 4-3 MVC) finish the game shooting 55.8 percent (24-of-43). Conversely, Indiana State (7-11, 2-5 MVC) made 26-of-56 shots (.464).

Illinois State jumped out to a quick nine point lead (23-14) with ten minutes to go in the first half. The Sycamores responded with two consecutive three-pointers to cut the lead to three. The teams then went back-and-forth and the Sycamores found themselves up one at halftime (38-37).

The Redbirds came out of the break and scored the first six points of the second half. Indiana State answered back and cut the lead to one later in the game (49-48), but could never get over the hump. Illinois State built their lead to as many as seven points, before taking the three-point victory.

Eric Gray came off the bench and led the way for the Sycamores with 24 points. The Chicago, Ill., native shot 9-of-15 from the floor, including 6-of-8 from behind the three-point arc. Amani Daanish scored 13 points and gathered seven rebounds, while Jerod Adler chipped in with 12 points. David Moss added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Sycamores.

In addition to Gordon's 26 points, Vince Greene added 16 for Illinois State. Gregg Alexander and Trey Guidry chipped in nine points apiece in the winning effort for the Redbirds. Illinois State outscored the Sycamores in the paint, 30-26, and also scored 18 points off of 11 Indiana State turnovers.

The Sycamores hit the road for their next two games. Indiana State will first head to Evansville for a 5:05 p.m. (CST) game on Saturday (Jan. 22) before traveling to Northern Iowa for a game next Wednesday (Jan. 26). USA-365.com provides live Internet audio streaming with Brian Fritz providing the play-by-play and Jim Waugh with the color commentary. The pre-game show starts Saturday, Jan. 22 at 4:40 p.m., CST (5:40 p.m., EST) with the tip-off set for 5:05 p.m., CST (6:05 p.m., EST) on www.USA-365.com.

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