NORMAL — Zach Copeland led the way with 20 points as Illinois State rallied in the second half to beat Belmont, 79-72, in the season opener for both teams Wednesday night before a Redbird Arena crowd of 5,310.
Rey Idowu and Jaycee Hillsman had 11 points, while Ricky Torres and freshman DJ Horne 10 each as ISU came back after trailing, 31-23, at halftime. The Redbirds made 13 of 26 shots outside of the arc.