Illinois State Redbirds

Illinois St beats Tulsa 84-68 for 3rd at Puerto Rico Tip-Off (Nov 19, 2017)

Published Nov. 19, 2017 8:24 p.m. ET

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) Keyshawn Evans scored 29 points and Illinois State jumped out to a huge first-half lead to beat Tulsa 84-68 in Sunday's third-place game at the relocated Puerto Rico Tip-Off.

Evans had 20 points by halftime on 8-for-9 shooting, helping the Redbirds (2-2) run off 20 straight points to take control in the opening 6 1/2 minutes. Illinois State shot 62 percent and hit eight 3-pointers to build a 46-27 halftime lead, then led by as many as 22 points.

The Golden Hurricane (2-3) never got the deficit below double figures in the second half.

Evans made 10 of 13 shots for the game, including all six of his 3-point tries. Illinois State finished shooting 57 percent and made 12 of 23 3-pointers.

Junior Etou scored 16 points before fouling out late for Tulsa, which shot 37 percent.

The Tip-Off was moved to South Carolina due to hurricane damage in Puerto Rico.

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