Jackie Carmichael led the way for Illinois State with 22 points. (Photo By B Corbin/WJBC)

By WJBC Staff

 WICHITA, Kan. - Jackie Carmichael scored 22 points and Tyler Brown grabbed a career-high nine rebounds, but Illinois State fell to Wichita State, 74-62, Wednesday night at Charles Koch Arena.

The Redbirds (9-9, 0-6 Missouri Valley Conference) forced 16 Wichita State turnovers, but the Shockers (16-2, 5-1 MVC) held Illinois State to 32.8 percent shooting in the loss.

Four Redbirds reached double figures, including Carmichael (22), Brown (14), Bryant Allen (11) and John Wilkins (11). Cleanthony Early led Wichita State with 16 points.

PODCAST: Coach Dan Muller says the Redbirds are making progress.

Wichita State outscored the Redbirds, 10-2, to start the game. However, Illinois State pulled within 15-12 with an 8-3 run, capped by a Carmichael jump shot. But that was as close as ISU got in the first half, as the Shockers ended the first half on a 7-2 run to take a 31-20 halftime advantage. Carmichael led all first-half scorers with 12 points.

After ISU and WSU exchanged baskets to start the second half, the Redbirds went on a 6-0 run to pull within 38-31 with 13:23 to play. Illinois State held the Shockers without a field goal from 15:49 until 10:57. The jumper by Early which stopped the field goal drought, propelled Wichita State on a 14-4 lead to take a 53-35 advantage at the 7:53 mark.

Illinois State put together a final 11-2 push to pull within 66-59 with 1:50 remaining. Allen scored two three-pointers, Brown had one three, and Wilkins netted a jumper during the stretch. That was as close as the Redbirds got, as ISU fell, 74-62.

Illinois State remains on the road for a Sunday night Valley matchup at Southern Illinois. Redbird Preview begins at 6 p.m. on WJBC AM 1230 and FM 93.7 with tipoff slated for 7 p.m.