NORMAL — Who knew the scoreboard, videoboards and ribbon boards weren’t going to be the only new things on display Tuesday night at Redbird Arena?
Illinois State basketball coach Dan Muller unveiled a different starting lineup coming off a disappointing effort at Saint Joseph’s three days ago, minus leading scorers DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell and Paris Lee. The Redbirds got the message, loud and clear.
Akoon-Purcell, Deontae Hawkins and freshman Roland Griffin led a balanced scoring attack with 10 points each as the Redbirds turned back Tennessee State, 66-55, in the final nonconference game before a crowd of 4,205.