DePaul Blue Demons at Illinois State Redbirds

Illinois State knocks off DePaul 69-64

The Redbirds (7-5) rallied from a 7-point second half deficit despite shooting 31 percent from the field, including just 5-of-26 from behind the arc. Zach Lofton added 14 and Nick Zeisloft 11 for the Redbirds, who made 24 of 30 free throws to offset the woeful shooting.

DePaul was led by Billy Garrett with 18 points. Brandon Young added 17 and Durrell McDonald chipped in with 10 points.

DePaul was down two with 36 seconds left but with the possession arrow in ISU's favor Knight forced a jump ball, tying up DePaul's Garrett. He was fouled on the ensuing inbounds and made one free throw to give Illinois State a 67-64 lead with 15 seconds left. A long 3 from Brandon Young wasn't close and Bobby Hunter grabbed the rebound and made two free throws for the final margin.

A back and forth game that was tied eight times and saw the lead change four times. Illinois State was outrebounded and was 5-of-26 from 3-point range in the game but took advantage of 16 turnovers by the Blue Demons (7-5), scoring 17 points off those DePaul miscues. Illinois State turned the ball over just six times.

Illinois State managed an 11-2 run late in the first half to take a 27-23 lead with just more than six minutes left. A 3-pointer by Zeisloft gave the Redbirds a 37-34 lead at halftime.

Illinois St. was 11-of-14 from the free throw line in the first half, compared to the Blue Demons making just four of six from the line before the break. DePaul hung around in the first half by making four 3-pointers. Illinois State meanwhile went just 2-of-13 from behind the arc in the first half.

Illinois State held DePaul star Cleveland Melvin to just four points. Melvin entered the game averaging 17.6 points per game.

How can I watch DePaul vs. Illinois State?

• TV Channel: DePaul at Illinois State 2021 College Basketball, week 7, is broadcasted on ESPN3.
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