Illinois State Men’s Basketball Improves to 2-2 after Win at Long Beach State
Written by Adam Tichler on November 17, 2025
Image Courtesy of Redbird_MBB on X
NORMAL, Ill. -Getting to the free-throw line helped Illinois State secure an 82-80 win Sunday night in Long Beach, California.
Ty’Reek Coleman and Chase Walker led the Redbirds with 19 points each. Thirteen of Walker’s points came at the line.
Johnny Kinziger added 15 points, going 5-for-9 from the field and hitting two 3-pointers on three attempts, helping propel ISU’s 47 percent shooting performance. The Redbirds also shot 31 percent from beyond the arc.
The game came down to the final minutes as Long Beach State fouled late to stop the clock and force ISU to the line. The Beach kept themselves within reach by hitting multiple 3-pointers in the closing minutes following Illinois State’s free throws.
ISU missed four free throws in the final minute, keeping Long Beach State in striking distance. But the Redbirds held on after Cole Farrell’s potential game-winning 3-pointer rimmed out at the buzzer.
Starters Ty Pence and Boden Skunberg each finished with seven points. Off the bench, Landon Wolf added six, while Brandon Lieb, Jack Daugherty and Mason Klabo contributed three points apiece.
Up next for the Redbirds is a home game against Rockford on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at CEFCU Arena. ISU will look to make it two straight wins and move above .500 for the first time this season.
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