McLean County Times

Redbirds Fall in Overtime in I-74 Rivalry Game

The Illinois State Redbirds put four players in double-figure scoring, and got a 16-point, 12-rebound double-double from Kendall Lewis, but it was not enough against the Bradley Braves, as the 'Birds fell in the 137th game of the I-74 Rivalry series by a 79-75 score in overtime.

Seneca Knight scored a game-high 19 points for Illinois State, while Lewis scored 16, Malachi Poindexter 15 and Luke Kasubke 13. Lewis' 12 rebounds were a game-high, while Kasubke grabbed a career-high eight rebounds in the loss while the Redbirds out-rebounded Bradley 44-to-25 in the game. Kasubke and Darius Burford each dished out a team-high three assists in the loss.

Bradley struck first by scoring the first three points of the game before the Redbirds answered with a 9-2 run to take a 9-5 lead. The 'Birds would keep their lead with 14:36 to play in the opening period. The lead remained for ISU until 11:26 to play in the first half and grew to as many as five at 22-17 with 8:51 remaining in the period. The Redbirds kept chipping away at the deficit, and while trailing by four ISU ran off an 8-0 run, capped by a Knight step-back jumper, with the run fueling the Redbirds to a 40-36 halftime advantage.

ISU stretched its lead to as many as 10 with 10:41 to play in the game, before the hosts started their comeback, chipping away at the deficit, and taking a two-point lead at 65-63. Trailing by two, 67-65, the Redbirds got a three-pointer from Poindexter and a free throw from Liam McChesney to regain the lead, before Zek Montgomery hit two free throws with three seconds left in regulation to send the game to an extra period.

The Redbirds jumped out to a 4-0 lead through the first two and a half minutes of overtime; however, Bradley would close the game on an 8-0 run to secure the four-point rivalry win.

Bradley was led by Malevy Leons who scored 16 points with a game-high 11 rebounds in the game.

The Redbirds return to action on Sunday, January 29 when the squad hosts the Southern Illinois Salukis in a 2 p.m. tip-off inside CEFCU Arena.

Original source can be found here