NORMAL, Ill. -- Tony Wills scored 16 points, Phil Fayne added a clinching layup, and Illinois State finished its first-ever undefeated home record with a 50-46 win over Southern Illinois on Wednesday night.
The win keeps Illinois State (24-5, 16-1) in a first-place tie with Wichita State for first place in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Redbirds will attempt to tie the school record for wins (25) in the season against Northern Iowa on Saturday.
Fayne finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds for Illinois State.
Thik Bol scored 12 points to lead Southern Illinois (15-15, 8-9).