Illinois State holds off Illinois-Chicago 71-70

Dec 20, 2017, 04:46 am

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.