Boxscore
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Illinois State University junior guard Osiris Eldridge hit a running jumper in the paint with just over one second left in the game to give the Redbirds a 70-68 victory over the University of Evansville Purple Aces Wednesday night. The Aces rallied from a 26 point deficit in the first half to pull even at 68-68 with 13 seconds remaining on a James Haarsma layup, but Eldridge provided the winning basket for the Redbirds in the victory.
Evansville falls to 15-9 overall and 7-7 in the Missouri Valley Conference. UE is still tied with Bradley for fourth place, but three teams are just one game behind the Aces and Braves. The Aces will be on the road for their next two games, starting Saturday at Bradley. The game is set to tip at 1:05 CT. Illinois State improves to 20-5 on the season and 9-5 in the MVC.
In the first half, Illinois State went on a 32-3 run spanning over 11 minutes to pull out to its largest lead of the half at 39-13. The Redbirds shot a sizzling 18-30 from the field in the first half, including five for 10 from behind the arc.
Illinois State held the Aces to just eight for 22 from the field in the first half, while also forcing Evansville into seven turnovers. The Redbirds also dominated the glass over the first 20 minutes, finishing the half with a 20-9 advantage.
The Aces stormed back in the second half, going on a 22-5 run to pull within four points at 54-50 on a pair of Shy Ely free throws. The Aces finally overcame the entire 26 point deficit on Haarsma's basket with 13 seconds remaining to make it 68-68, but Eldridge sank the game winner as the clock ticked down to one second. Ely got off a desperation shot at the buzzer that went wide of the rim. Ely, the MVC’s leading scorer, totaled 16 of his game high 24 points in the second half. Nate Garner tallied his fifth double-double of the season, tossing in 13 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
Illinois State finished with four players in double figures, led by Eldridge with 18. Emmanuel Holloway tossed in 12, while Dinma Odiakosa and Brandon Sampay both finished with 10 points.
As a team, the Aces finished 25 for 48 from the field, for 52 percent, including 17-26 in the second half for 65 percent. Illinois State finished 28 for 55 from the field, for 51 percent.
