Illinois State Redbirds

Evans scores final 7 points, Illinois State tops Evansville (Dec 23, 2017)

Published Dec. 23, 2017 4:40 p.m. ET

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) Milik Yarbrough had 28 points, Keyshawn Evans scored the final seven points of the game and Illinois State beat Evansville 72-66 on Saturday in a Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams.

Evans made all five of his 3-pointers, including two in the final 2:15. He came off a screen to hit a 3 from the wing for a 68-66 lead. Yarbrough drew two defenders and found Evans for an open 3 and Evans added a free throw with 9.2 seconds left.

Phil Fayne added 17 points for Illinois State (7-6) and Evans finished with 16.

Illinois State was down 28-21 but its final five field goals of the half were from 3-point range as the Redbirds rallied for a 36-33 advantage.

Ryan Taylor scored 22 points on 10-of-22 shooting for Evansville (10-4), which was coming off a 104-40 loss at No. 4 Duke on Wednesday. The Purple Aces posted double-digit wins in preconference play for the third time in four years.

The Purple Aces lost their first home game of the season.

Get more from Illinois State Redbirds Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Illinois State Redbirds

Missouri Valley