Redbirds Come From Behind Win Over Truman State

NORMAL- The Illinois State Men’s Basketball team came back to top the visiting Truman State Bulldogs 74-68.

Tonight was the Redbirds first exhibition game against the Truman State Bulldogs.They struggled to get anything going in the first half as they shot 10 of 33 from the field and 2 of 14 from the three point line. Zach Copeland further explained the sluggish offensive start in the first half for the Redbirds.

“Rushed shots, we weren’t getting the ball to our third and fourth side of the offense, one pass shots, one entry posts shots, stuff like that, we gotta try to just move the ball and get  everybody to touch it and get better looks.”

Key forward Keith Fisher III also went down in the first half, and although he made his way out to the bench in the second half, he did not see the court after the injury. Coach Dan Muller explained what happened as well as Fisher’s condition . 

“He was struggling to breathe, it happened last year at practice once. So I wasn’t overly concerned, certainly it was pretty scary for him and the team, but well do some testing and I think he’ll be okay.”

The Redbirds came out the second half looking like a completely different team. Their defensive intensity picked up as they went with a full court press to start the second half. When asked if the team will play more extended defense, Coach Muller explained.

“I do part of that is to have Ricky and Matt Chastain, and Keith in the game. You know if we have 9 guys or 10 guys that we had tonight we won’t be able to do that, but you know Matt Chastain and Keith are two of our better defenders and more versatile defenders. That has been what we’ve practiced and what we did overseas a lot but we had everybody healthy there.”

The Redbirds went on a late run forcing turnovers, converting three point plays, and outscoring the Bulldogs 48-29 in the second half. They finished the game shooting 18 of 31 from the field, converting 3 of their 8 three point shots. Leading the way for the Redbirds was Copeland who scored 18 points and sunk the jumper that helped closed the game for the Redbirds. 

The Redbirds will be in action this weekend in a closed exhibition game against the Iowa Hawkeye before opening the season against Belmont on November 6th.