NORMAL,
IL - (2-8-2003) —
Freshman David Moss reached the double-figure plateau for the 16th time in his
young career but it was not enough as host Illinois State defeated Indiana
State, 60-52 in Redbird Arena. Vince Greene scored eight of his team-high
14 points and Andy Strandmark grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds to lead Illinois
State past Indiana State 60-52 in Redbird Arena.
The Redbirds, 4-16 overall, 3-9 in the Missouri Valley, had a 38-21 rebounding edge for the game and also got double-figure scoring from Chris Burras and Gregg Alexander with 10 each, Burras’ points were a career high. After a 1-15 start, Illinois State has won three of its last four, including three in a row at home.
The Sycamores fall to 5-17, 1-10 in the Valley. Indiana State had just 12 turnovers to Illinois State’s 22. David Moss led the Sycamores with 16 points.
Despite four turnovers in their first six possessions, the Sycamores led 7-5 after six minutes. But a Trey Guidry jumper tied it and Greene gave the Birds a lead and a cushion with a pull-up jumper and a three-pointer which put ISU up 12-7 at the 12-minute mark. Another Greene trey gave the Redbirds a 15-9 lead with 9:48 left before halftime.
The Sycamores scored six straight to tie the game at 15-15, but Burras went to work for the Birds at that point, scoring Illinois State’s next eight points as the home team took a 23-18 lead into the final two minutes of the half. Illinois State led 25-20.
Two inside baskets by Baboucarr Bojang and Alexander’s three-pointer helped Illinois State open a 34-24 lead in the first four minutes of the second half. The Birds stayed in command through the middle of the second half on the strength of Strandmark’s aggressive play around the basket. Strandmark scored five points and set up two more with a drop-down pass to Burras and the Redbirds led 44-32 with 8 minutes left.
Illinois State stayed in control the rest of the way as the Sycamores came no closer than seven. Indiana State will host Drake on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at the Hulman Center, where the tip-off is scheduled for 6:05 p.m., CST. The Bulldogs (7-15, 2-9 MVC) are coming off a 62-51 Missouri Valley Conference loss at home to Evansville on Feb. 8th. Live Internet Audio Streaming coverage on USA-365.com begins with the pre-game show at 5:40 p.m., CST.