NORMAL — Evansville's defense has held Illinois State to 35 percent shooting or lower twice this basketball season.
Yet it was the Redbirds' defense Sunday at CEFCU Arena that kept the Purple Aces from saddling ISU with a second loss.
"Our defense defined us today," Coach Ryan Pedon said after a 62-53 Missouri Valley Conference win over Evansville. "It allowed us to win a game that was a little bit ugly at times."
The Redbirds closed the regular season at 18-13 overall and 10-10 in the Valley.