Normal, IL (Sports Network) - Ben Simons and Chris Hines each scored 23 points
and Joey King and Jordan Clarke both recorded double-doubles as the Drake
Bulldogs toppled the Illinois State Redbirds, 82-77, in a Missouri Valley
Conference brawl at Redbird Arena.
Clarke scored 16 points and brought down 11 rebounds and King had 11 points to
match 11 rebounds for Drake (7-9, 1-4 MVC) which ended a five game losing
streak and earned its first conference victory this season.
Johnny Hill had a game-high 24 points and was a rebound shy of a double-double
for Illinois State (9-8, 0-5) which remains winless in league play. Jackie
Carmichael had a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds and Bryant Allen
poured in 22 points on 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc for the Redbirds
who have lost five straight.
The Redbirds rolled out to a 41-32 lead at the break by shooting 54.8 percent
from the field including a 5-of-10 showing from beyond the arc. Drake
connected on 44.8 percent of its shots in the first half.
In the second half the Bulldogs heated up to 50 percent shooting and nailed
6-of-13 shots from 3-point distance to rally for the win. The Redbirds cooled
to 32.4 percent shooting in the second half.
Illinois State lost despite a 21-14 edge in points off turnovers.
GAME NOTES:
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