KEY ENTERS TOP 10 AS SYCAMORES GET WEEKEND SWEEP OF REDBIRDS

KEY ENTERS TOP 10 AS SYCAMORES GET WEEKEND SWEEP OF REDBIRDS

Credit Source: Indiana State University Athletics

NORMAL, Ill. – The Indiana State men’s basketball team made it a clean weekend sweep of Illinois State Sunday, Jan. 17, taking down the Redbirds for the second-straight contest with a 74-68 victory in Redbird Arena.

Senior Tyreke Key led the Sycamores (6-7, 3-5 MVC) with 18 points on the night, and moved into the program’s top 10 in scoring, passing legends Duane Klueh and Carl Nicks and now sitting with 1,447 career points.

Joining Key in double-digits on another night of balanced scoring was Randy Miller Jr., who dropped in 13 points, as well as Tre Williams and Tobias Howard Jr., who each added 11. Jake LaRavia stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, five rebounds, five assists and one steal without committing a turnover, and Cooper Neese tacked on eight points as well.

Indiana State jumped ahead out of the gate and held that lead for all but 26 seconds of the game, at one point leading the contest by 15. Illinois State stuck close thanks to its shooting from the three-point line and aggressive press in the second half, but the Sycamores shot 90 percent (9-of-10) from the free throw line in the second half to put the game on ice.

The Sycamores improved in multiple key areas from Saturday’s victory, committing just nine turnovers in the game while forcing the Redbirds into 16. Indiana State also shot better overall (.491 to .446), had more assists (12 to 10), scored more points off turnovers (19 to 11) and had more points in the paint (36 to 28).

Illinois State had four players in double figures, as Dedric Boyd led the way with 19 points.

Sunday’s win can’t be enjoyed long as Indiana State turns around to face Evansville Wednesday, Jan. 20 at Hulman Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and begin at 7 p.m.

For the latest information on Sycamore Basketball, be sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.