Eldridge and Sampay each score 10 points in the first half.
Jan. 16, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
Backed by 10 points from both Osiris Eldridge and Brandon Sampay, the Illinois State men's basketball team leads the Wichita State Shockers, 34-18, after one half of play in a Missouri Valley Conference tilt Wednesday night on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
Both Illinois State and Wichita State began the game making early mistakes, with each team turning the ball over. But the Redbirds were able to remain calm and took the lead by going on an 11-1 run, paced by Eldridge's seven points. The Redbird defense caused problems for the Shocker offense, as ISU forced seven turnovers in the game's first seven minutes and four seconds. But the Shockers were able to climb back into the game, courtesy of a 10-2 run, capitalized by a three from PJ Couisnard at the 7:22 mark, forcing an ISU timeout.
But the Redbirds picked up their intensity again, going on its own 10-2 spurt that put Illinois State ahead, 25-13, with 3:53 left in the half. Senior Boo Richardson led the `Birds during the run, scoring five points and dishing out two assists. Illinois State continued to pull away from the Shockers at the end of the half, as ISU outscored WSU 9-5 in the final two and a half minutes. Richardson put the exclamation point on the Redbirds' first half, sprinting down the court after a WSU miss and nailing a buzzer beating, three-pointer from just past half court.
The Redbirds showed their defensive tenacity throughout the first period, forcing a total of 15 Shocker turnovers, which translated into 13 points.
