Redbirds Fall to the Ramblers

Photo courtesy of goredbirds.com

NORMAL, Ill.- The Illinois State Redbirds fall to the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers 59-50 Monday night at Redbird Arena.

It was one two-minute stretch at the end of the first half that was ultimately the difference in the game between the Redbirds and the Ramblers. Loyola-Chicago went on an 8-0 run to end the first half that helped them hold the lead for the rest of the game. Some missed free-throws hurt the Redbirds in the last two minutes of the first half while Loyola was on their run.

“We have been really good, then we lose our focus for a minute or a minute and a half and there is that separation,” said Coach Brian Jones.

Illinois State was led by Antonio Reeves with 15 points and four rebounds. Josiah Strong followed him with 11 points and two rebounds. Kendall Lewis added nine points and five rebounds for the Redbirds as well.

“It was a very physical game. Honestly, I was really proud of our defensive effort, we held them to a 37 percent field-goal percentage,” said Jones.

The Redbirds fall to 11-18 on the season and 4-12 in Missouri Valley Conference play. Illinois State has a quick turnaround as they head to Carbondale to take on Southern Illinois in their final road game of the season then come back Saturday to host Indiana State in their final game of the regular season at Redbird Arena.