The Illinois State Redbirds secured a close 82-80 victory over Long Beach State, concluding their West Coast road trip with a 1-1 record. This win elevates ISU's season record to 2-2. The game was characterized by intense back-and-forth scoring, with the Redbirds establishing a 42-34 halftime lead and narrowly hanging on to their advantage in the final moments.

By the Numbers
  • Ty'Reek Coleman scored 19 points, marking his third consecutive game in double figures with a total of 59 points over those games.
  • Chase Walker made 13 of 14 free throws, tying for the sixth-most in a single game for the NCAA this season, and finished with a season-high 19 points.
  • Illinois State made 31 free throws, ranking 23rd in program history for a single game.
State of Play
  • The Redbirds utilized a starting lineup of Ty'Reek Coleman, Johnny Kinziger, Boden Skunberg, Ty Pence, and Chase Walker, marking their second game together.
  • The team is currently 2-0 with the new coaches challenge rules after winning their latest game.
What's Next

ISU will return home for two games, starting with a matchup against Rockford on Thursday, November 20, at 7 p.m. This will be an opportunity to build on their recent performance and solidify their season record.

Bottom Line

The Redbirds’ resilient win reflects their competitive spirit and adaptability in close games, setting a promising tone for the upcoming home games. With key players stepping up, ISU looks to continue its momentum as the season progresses.