In a strikingly similar scenario to a Jan. 13 game in Evansville, Ind., ISU pounced instead of retreated with a comfortable halftime lead Friday as the Redbirds thrashed Evansville, 82-59, in Missouri Valley Conference action at Redbird Arena.
The Redbirds held a 20-point halftime margin in the first Evansville game and managed just nine points in the third quarter to give the Purple Aces hope. This time, a season-high 27 third-quarter points extended a 15-point halftime advantage to 31 to put Evansville away.
"I'm really proud of our effort. I knew coming in on paper we were the better team.