Strong Start: Illinois State Blows Out Rockford

Image Courtesy of Illinois State Athletics

NORMAL, Ill. -Illinois State continued its strong start to the season with a commanding 93-48 win over Rockford on Thursday night at CEFCU Arena. After a close victory over Long Beach State, the Redbirds showed they could dominate wire to wire, controlling the pace on both ends of the court.

Illinois State opened with a 21-0 run to take early control. By halftime, the Redbirds led 48-21 and never looked back. All 11 players who saw action scored, highlighting the team’s depth and balanced offensive approach.

Jack Daugherty led the effort with 14 points and nine rebounds. Cameron Barnes added 13 points and eight rebounds, while Brandon Lieb recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards. Johnny Kinziger and Mason Klabo also reached double figures, helping stretch the lead throughout the second half.

The Redbirds dominated the glass, out-rebounding Rockford 48-26, and shot 59.4 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from 3-point range. Defensively, ISU held the Regents to 27.9 percent shooting and prevented any player from scoring in double digits. The mix of efficient offense and strong defense made the outcome one-sided by the final buzzer.

With the win, Illinois State continues to build early-season momentum and sets a confident tone for upcoming games. The Redbirds host Coastal Carolina on Sunday, Nov. 23, as they look to extend their strong start to the 2025-26 season.

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