ST. LOUIS — Johnny Kinziger and Ty Pence handled the bulk of the scoring in the first half for the Illinois State basketball team Thursday at the Enterprise Center.
The Redbird sophomores received plenty of support in jostling the scoreboard digits after halftime.
The one constant for ISU in an opening round game of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament was a stifling defense.
ISU turned in a second straight stellar defensive outing in a convincing 70-54 win over Missouri State for its first MVC Tournament victory since 2022.
"It was great. This time of year you want to be playing your best," ISU coach Ryan Pedon said.