Illinois State Picks Up Huge Season Finale Win Against Conference Leader
Written by Kole Schipper on March 2, 2026
Image Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics
NORMAL, Ill.- Illinois State men’s basketball took the floor at CEFCU Arena one final time in the 2025–26 regular season on Senior Day, hosting top-seeded Missouri Valley Conference foe Belmont.
Belmont entered the matchup riding a four-game winning streak and had previously defeated Illinois State 80–69 in Nashville. With Arch Madness seeding still up for grabs, the Redbirds appeared to be finding their stride at just the right time.
Prior to tip-off, seniors Brandon Lieb (#12), Landon Moore (#1), Boden Skunberg (#14), and Landon Wolf (#4) were honored for their contributions to Illinois State men’s basketball and ISU Athletics.
Both teams came out firing in the first half, each shooting 47 percent or better from the field. Illinois State weathered several early Belmont runs but trailed 40–38 at the break.
Belmont controlled much of the second half and built a nine-point lead with just under 11 minutes remaining. However, Illinois State responded behind Senior Boden Skunberg, who poured in 15 second-half points. The Redbirds battled back to tie the game at 67 with just under six minutes to play.
From there, Illinois State dictated the tempo. The Redbirds took the lead for good with 4:27 remaining and closed the game on a 14–7 run, securing an 81–74 victory over the top-seeded Bruins. Junior Johnny Kinziger led the way for the Redbirds with 16 points and 6 assists.
March 1 delivered plenty of conference chaos, with four MVC games impacting the standings, and everything broke Illinois State’s way.
Entering Sunday as the No. 5 seed at 11–8 in conference play, the Redbirds needed help to move up. Murray State fell on the road at Bradley, 87–78. Illinois-Chicago lost at Indiana State, 79–63. And Illinois State handled its own business at home against Belmont, 81–74.
With those results, Illinois State climbed to the No. 3 seed in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, Arch Madness, earning a first-round bye and extra rest before heading to St. Louis.
The Redbirds (20–11, 12–8 MVC) will face the winner of Evansville (7–24, 3–17 MVC) and Northern Iowa (19–12, 11–9 MVC) on Friday at 8:30 p.m. at Enterprise Center.
For all things Redbird basketball, stay tuned to wznd.com.
