ISU Reaches NIT Quarterfinal for First Time Since 1995-1996 Season

Image Courtesy of Redbird Athletics

NORMAL, Ill.- Illinois State walked into a No. 1 seed’s home floor and walked out with one of its biggest postseason wins in decades. In a 78–75 victory over Wake Forest in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament, the Redbirds erased a second-half deficit, executed down the stretch, and stunned the top seed on its own court.

Illinois State (22–12) trailed 53–44 with just over 11 minutes to play but responded with a composed, methodical comeback. A three-pointer from Landon Wolf tied the game with 6:29 remaining, and the Redbirds continued to trade blows with Wake Forest in a tightly contested finish that featured four lead changes in the final minutes.

The defining moment came in the closing seconds.

With the game tied at 75 and the clock winding down, Johnny Kinziger delivered—knocking down a go-ahead three-pointer with two seconds left to give Illinois State the lead for good and silence the home crowd.

Kinziger finished with 19 points and five assists, including five made three-pointers, while Ty Pence led the way with a career-high 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Chase Walker added 15 points, providing a consistent interior presence as the Redbirds balanced efficiency inside and out.

Despite Wake Forest shooting 50 percent from the field and getting 24 points from Tre’Von Spillers and 20 from Juke Harris, Illinois State’s late-game execution proved decisive. The Redbirds outperformed when it mattered most, limiting mistakes, converting key possessions, and finishing the game with poise under pressure.

The win marks a significant milestone for the program. It is Illinois State’s first time winning multiple games in a single NIT appearance since the 1995–96 season, and it comes in emphatic fashion, on the road against the tournament’s top seed.

Illinois State now turns its attention to the quarterfinals, where it will face the Dayton Flyers in another road test. For the Redbirds, the formula that worked against Wake Forest will need to travel: disciplined defense, efficient shot selection, and late-game execution.

If Illinois State can replicate the composure it showed in Winston-Salem, especially in high-leverage moments, it will have a chance not just to compete, but to continue a postseason run that is already rewriting program history.

The Redbirds and Flyers will tip off at 6 p.m. Wednesday from Dayton, Ohio.

For all things Redbird basketball, stay tuned to wznd.com.