Redbird Track & Field Complex | Illinois State University Athletics
Redbird Track & Field Complex | Illinois State University Athletics
The Illinois State Redbirds experienced a narrow defeat in their MVC opener against the Belmont Bruins, falling 99-97 in overtime. Despite six players scoring in double figures, including Caden Boser who led with 17 points off the bench, Carter Whitt's last-second jumper secured the win for Belmont.
Illinois State made 18 three-pointers, marking the second-highest single-game total in school history and setting a visiting team record at Belmont's Curb Center. This achievement is also tied for the second-most in an MVC game historically.
Caden Boser scored a team-high of 17 points. Johnny Kinziger and Chase Walker contributed 16 each, while Ty Pence added 15, Landon Wolf 14, and Dalton Banks 13. The Redbirds out-rebounded Belmont with a margin of five rebounds, totaling 37 to Belmont's 32.
Dalton Banks achieved a career-high nine assists during the game. He was supported by Kinziger who provided five assists. Ty Pence and Jordan Davis each recorded two steals.
The game saw numerous lead changes and ties throughout its duration. In the first half alone, there were eleven lead changes and four ties before Belmont took a halftime lead of 54-45. The second half continued this pattern with ISU eventually forcing overtime after tying the score with just seconds left on Banks' three-pointer.
Overtime was equally competitive with multiple lead changes and ties until Jonathan Pierre's jumper equalized the score again before Whitt's decisive shot ended the match.
Illinois State will next face Pacific Tigers at CEFCU Arena on Saturday at 6 p.m., aiming to bounce back from this close loss.
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