Illinois St defeats Drake 56-73
Illinois St Outlasts Drake in Conference Showdown, 73-56
The Illinois State Redbirds handed the Drake Bulldogs their first conference loss of the season, 73-56, behind a dominant performance from its visiting squad. The Redbirds' balanced attack and efficient shooting propelled them to their third straight win.
At halftime, the Redbirds held a slim 31-27 lead, but the Bulldogs fought back to trail by just four points heading into the second half. However, Illinois State's defense stiffened in the final minutes of play, allowing the Redbirds to build a 17-point advantage with just over three minutes remaining.
Illinois St's top scorer was not listed in the game leaders section, however the team as a whole shot an impressive 63% from the field and made 13 of its 23 three-point attempts. The Bulldogs struggled from beyond the arc, converting only seven of their 26 attempts to make up just 27%.
The Redbirds' efficient shooting was fueled by a strong paint presence, scoring 26 points in the paint compared to Drake's 20. Illinois State also outrebounded the Bulldogs by 17, capturing 33 defensive rebounds to Drake's 13.
Drake struggled with turnovers, committing 23 against Illinois St's 15. The Redbirds capitalized on these mistakes, scoring six fast break points and using their rebounding advantage to secure key possessions down the stretch.
The loss drops Drake to 0-1 in conference play, while Illinois State improves to 3-0. The win is a significant upset, as the Bulldogs were heavily favored at home in this matchup.
Game Statistics
Drake (HOME)
* Field Goals: 19/56 (34.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 12/30 (40.0%)
* 3-Point FG: 7/26 (27.0%)
* Free Throws: 11/18 (61.0%)
* Rebounds: 20
* Assists: 10
* Turnovers: 9
* Steals: 12
* Blocks: 1
* Total Fouls: 14
Illinois St (AWAY)
* Field Goals: 26/41 (63.0%)
* 2-Point FG: 13/18 (72.2%)
* 3-Point FG: 13/23 (57.0%)
* Free Throws: 8/12 (67.0%)
* Rebounds: 37
* Assists: 15
* Turnovers: 23
* Steals: 4
* Blocks: 1
* Total Fouls: 17
The Redbirds' victory is a testament to their ability to adapt and execute on the road. With this win, Illinois State takes a crucial step towards establishing itself as a contender in the conference standings.