Men’s Basketball Takes Down Northwestern 70-64 in Exhibition

NORMAL, Ill. – In Illinois State’s first of two exhibitions ahead of the start of the 2026-27 season, the Redbirds toppled the visiting Northwestern Wildcats of the Big Ten by a score of 70-64 as newcomer Noah Cleveland had a 16-point, 15-rebound double-double, and Johnny Kinziger scored 15 points with two steals and two blocks in the six-point victory. HOW IT HAPPENED The Redbirds and Wildcats traded the lead back and forth early, with Illinois State stretching to a three-point lead at 10-7 on a free throw by Nick Allen. Northwestern came back with a 10-0 run to lead by…