Illinois State Basketball falls to Sycamores, extending losing streak

Image Courtesy of Redbird Athletics 

NORMAL, Ill. – Despite a combined 43 points from Johnny Kinzinger and Chase Walker, the redbird men’s basketball team struggled to keep Indiana State off the board, suffering a crushing 85-76 loss on Saturday night on the road in Terre Haute.

Chase Walker had himself a night, notching his second double-double of the weekend with 22 points and 11 rebounds in what was a dominating performance from the standout big man. Following him was Johnny Kinzinger, who continued his stellar season as he racked up 21 points, hitting 4 triples on the night and picking up 6 assists as well in what was another incredible night for the Redbirds’ top star.

Off the bench, Landon Wolf scored double digits as well, picking up 12 points, going 2-3 from beyond the arc, and 5-6 overall on the night. Overall, ISU shot almost 50 percent from the field and just above 33 percent from the 3-point line in what was a good night for the offense overall. However, the Sycamores were able to do more, as they never found their footing and never got within 7 points of the lead after halftime.

Indiana State led all the way in field goal percentage both inside and outside the arc, shooting 50.9 percent overall and a staggering 45.8 percent from outside the lines in what was a clinic on offense for the Sycamores. The Sycamores continue to make their case in the MVC, and Arch Madness is just a few short weeks away.

In regard to Arch Madness, the Redbirds have continued to find themselves falling down the ranks. After a bad week of MVC play, they are now outside the top 6. They now sit at the unfavorable 7 seed in the conference, and they are looking to try to crawl back inside the top five.

Now at 15-12 on the season and 7-9 in conference, a big matchup against the Bradley Braves could not come at a more pivotal point for the Birds. They will play host to the MVC’s second seed, marking the second week in a row ISU hosts a top-two seed at the CEFCU arena.

After the Bradley game, it’s three must-win games against the bottom of the MVC, as Illinois State has a chance to end the season on a four-game run and make some history in St Louis on March 6.