PEORIA, Ill. – After winning the first meeting with the Bradley Braves by a 74-65 final score, the Illinois State Redbirds fell in the rematch in Peoria by a 72-64 final score, evening the season series between the two schools.
Antonio Reeves scored 20 points for Illinois State, his 16th 20+-point scoring output of the season, which is tied for the eighth-highest single-season total in program history. Josiah Strong added 12 points, making 4-of-6 long-range tries, while Mark Freeman scored 10 and pulled down a team-high six rebounds. Kendall Lewis scored nine points and had two blocked shots and three steals, becoming the MVC's first 30-steal, 30-block player this season.