COLUMBUS, Ohio – Led by a quick start that saw Illinois State jump ahead 7-2 over the first two minutes of the game, the Redbirds held on late to top UMass Lowell 82-72 for ISU's first win of the 2020-21 season.
Josiah Strong scored a team-high 21 points, making 6-of-14 shots from the field, 3-of-8 from long range and all six of his free throw tries. DJ Horne scored 15 points, while Antonio Reeves added 13. In his first appearance of the season, Sy Chatman scored nine points off the bench, while Harouna Sissoko scored in eight in his first start.