Illinois State Cruises To A Easy 73-64 Win Over St. Bonaventure
Bloomington-Normal, Illinois (AP) - Illinois State came into the game, defeating Boise State in a very exciting win. However, they showed no worry today as they had the lead for almost the whole day. Coach Rudd had his team in their full-court press (the defense he's been running all year) and it looked like St. Bonaventure had a hard time adjusting to it. Joe Bradley was the leading scorer for Illinois State. Bradley scored 16 points (5/13 shooting, 3/8 3pt shooting, 3/4 FT shooting) and grabbed 2 rebounds. Throughout the game Bradley dictated the scoring for the Redbirds. While Bradley is prone to living and dying on the three ball, he was still in rhythm on his drive throughout the game. Redbird Center Jackie Carmichael had 14 points (5/11 shooting, 4/4 FT shooting) and 8 rebounds. Carmichael is a huge presence inside this year for the Redbirds, and making the paint his own sacred ground. He's making sure other centers this year can't score points in the paint, or grab a lot of rebounds. Carmichael is really stepping up for his senior year. The Redbirds controlled the whole game, and that's a huge key for them this year. Right now, Illinois State is really beginning to get into a groove. If they can keep up their aggressive style of play, it looks like they will be fine this year.
The St. Bonaventure Bonnies, really have to address their team during practice this year. At times in the game, it looked as their bench was better than their starting cast. That can be a good thing at times, but somethings it can back-fire on you too. The leading scorer for the Bonnies was Matthew Wright who had 14 points (5/14 shooting, 2/6 3pt shooting, 2/2 FT shooting) and also grabbed in 4 rebounds. However, throughout the game it seemed as if Wright struggled to get his shot down. When Wright isn't on his game, it ultimately hurts the team, and it showed today. Another top played for St. Bonaventure was Charlon Kloff who had 10 points (3/6 shooting, 1/1 3pt shooting, 3/5 FT shooting) and created 3 assists. Kloff did a good job creating opportunities for St. Bonaventure, but he did have create his fair share of turnovers. Kloff committed 4 turnovers (all of them came in the second half). It seemed as if the score was closer than the game was, and that was mainly because St. Bonaventure scored the last 8 points of the game in the second half. St. Bonaventure has a young team, so we're still seeing them trying to make adjustments. Overall, the Bonnies need to improve their play, but it's still a work in progress for them.
Score -
Illinois State 73 (4-1) St. Bonaventure 64 (2-4)
Starters Illinois State -
C Jackie Carmichael 14 points (5/11 shooting, 4/4 FT shooting) 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists,
PF Jon Ekey 8 points (4/8 shooting) 5 rebounds, 1 block
SF John Wilkins 7 points (2/8 shooting, 2/4 3pt shooting, 1/2 FT shooting) 3 rebounds,
SG Joe Bradley 16 points (5/13 shooting, 3/8 3pt shooting, 3/4 FT shooting) 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
PG Tyler Brown 8 points (4/10 shooting) 5 assists, 3 rebounds
Bench -
Kaza Keane 2 points (1/1 shooting) 3 assists
Jordan Threloff 8 points (2/5 shooting, 4/4 FT shooting) 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assits
Anthony Cousin 4 points (2/3 shooting)
Zeke Upshaw 6 points (3/5 shooting) 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Starters St. Bonaventure -
C Marquise Simmons 6 points (3/8 shooting) 6 rebounds, 1 block
PF Demitrius Conger 4 points (1/8 shooting, 1/5 3pt shooting, 3/4 FT shooting) 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
SF Michael Davenport 0 points (0/6 shooting, 0/3 3pt shooting, 0/2 FT shooting)
SG Matthew Wright 14 points (5/14 shooting, 2/6 3pt shooting, 2/2 FT shooting) 4 rebounds, 4 assists
PG Charlon Kloff 10 points (3/6 shooting, 1/1 3pt shooting, 3/5 FT shooting) 1 rebound, 3 assists
Bench -
Eric Mosley 8 points (3/8 shooting, 2/6 3pt shooting) 2 assists, 2 blocks
Jordan Gathers 3 points (1/6 shooting, 1/3 3pt shooting) 2 rebounds
Chris Johnson 10 points (3/8 shooting, 2/3 3pt shooting, 2/2 FT shooting) 3 rebounds, 1 assit
J.J. Tupane 9 points (4/5 shooting, 1/2 FT shooting) 5 rebounds, 3 assists