By Austin Duncan
NORMAL, Ill- For the second time in Redbird Arena’s history, Illinois State was able to take down a ranked opponent. This time, No. 21 ranked Wichita State was the victim as the Redbirds held them to just 26 percent from the field in the second half en route to a 58-53 victory on Doug Collins Court in front of the largest home crowd of the season of 8,284.
Wichita State began the game on an 8-0 run which included two 3-pointers, one from Fred Van Vleet, and one from Zach Brown.
The Redbirds stopped the run, collecting its first points of the game on a 3-pointer by Deontae Hawkins which sparked a 5-0 run.
The defense was the story of the first half as neither team could get in to any sort of rhythm.
In the first half, the Shocker defense held Illinois State to just 20 percent from the field on 6-of-30 shooting. The Redbird defense held Wichita State to just over 40 percent. Wichita State took a 33-21 at halftime.
A Ron Baker jump shot at the 18:46 mark of the second half ballooned Wichita State’s lead to 16.
On Illinois State’s next offense possession Deontae Hawkins hit a 3-pointer, sparking another run for the Redbirds. Illinois State went on a 14-1 run to cut the Shockers lead to just 38-35 with 14:59 to play.
Wichita State would expand its lead to five once again.
A layup by MiKyle McIntosh cut Illinois States deficit to just one with 11:54 remaining. Illinois State gained its first lead of the game on Hawkins’ 3-pointer to make the score 44-41.
The teams proceeded to trade baskets over the next six minutes with the largest lead of three points belonged to Illinois State. At the final officials’ timeout, Illinois State led 51-48.
After being up one, Deontae Hawkins was fouled, and converted a bucket and free throw to expand Illinois State’s lead to four with 3:31 to play. A pair of free throws from Paris Lee gave ISU a three point lead with just under three minutes to play.
Wichita State trailed by three points forcing Fred Van Vleet to fire a 3-pointer with 16 seconds remaining. Van Vleet missed, Paris Lee gathered the rebound and was fouled to shoot two free throws.
Lee nailed them both and sealed the deal for the Redbirds.
This marks Illinois States’ second consecutive win for the Redbirds over the Shockers, dating back to last season’s semi final victory over Wichita State at Arch Madness in Saint Louis. The Redbirds had not beaten the Shockers in the regular season since the 2009-10 season.
Illinois State was paced by Paris Lee’s 19 points. Deontae Hawkins and Devaughn Akoon-Purcell added 14 and 12 points respectively. Hawkins also led the Redbirds in rebounds with 10. Akoon-Purcell added nine as the Redbirds outrebounded the Shockers 46-35.
Illinois State’s defense was key, holding Wichita State to just 53 points, the teams’ lowest point total of the season. The Redbirds are 13-1 when holding opponents under 70 points in a game.
Wichita State was paced by Shaq Morris and Ron Baker who tied for a team-high 10 points. Fred Van Vleet collected a team-high seven rebounds.
The Redbirds won the game through defense and free throw shooting, connecting on a season-high 22 free throws.
The Redbirds improve to 14-11 on the season and are tied for second place in the Missouri Valley Conference with an 8-4 record.
This game snaps a 12-game winning streak for the Shockers as they fall to 17-6 on the season and 11-1 in the Missouri Valley.
Illinois State returns to action Thursday as it travels to Evansville for an 8 p.m. tip. Redbird Preview will begin at 7 p.m.
Listen to postgame comments from head coach Dan Muller here.
Listen to postgame comments from Paris Lee here.
