Illinois State holds off Illinois-Chicago 71-70
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.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Tom Eades
- Paul Janssen
- Bo Boroski
2024-25 Missouri Valley Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bradley | 8-1 | - | 17-3 |
| Drake | 7-2 | 1 | 17-2 |
| Belmont | 6-3 | 2 | 14-6 |
| UIC | 6-3 | 2 | 13-6 |
| Northern Iowa | 6-3 | 2 | 12-8 |
| Murray State | 5-4 | 3 | 11-9 |
| Illinois State | 4-5 | 4 | 12-8 |
| Valparaiso | 3-6 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Indiana State | 3-6 | 5 | 9-11 |
| Southern Illinois | 3-6 | 5 | 8-12 |
| Evansville | 3-6 | 5 | 6-14 |
| Missouri State | 0-9 | 8 | 7-13 |
Men's College Basketball News
