Missouri Valley Basketball had wildest of opening nights to start league play
Redbirds pull off an upset
Illinois State battled from behind most of their home game against Missouri State. Trailing by nine points with 4:14 to go, the Redbird defense went to work. ISU defenders allowed the Bears just two points the rest of regulation and tied the game at 64 when Josiah Strong hit a triple with 38 seconds remaining.
TIE GAME‼️
— MVC Basketball (@ValleyHoops) December 2, 2021
The 'Birds get the block(s) on one end, then Josiah Strong hits a game-tying three on the other to pull @Redbird_MBB even in the final minute. pic.twitter.com/22NydG8bsh
The Valley’s leading scorer Antonio Reeves paced ISU with seven points in the overtime period and 22 points overall. Strong finished with 21. Sy Chatman added ten points off the Redbird bench as ISU’s bench outscored the Bears’ bench 31 to 19. The Redbirds did not miss a shot in the overtime period.
Missouri State center Gaige Prim led all scorers with 27 points and recorded a double-double by grabbing twelve rebounds. Isiaih Mosley contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. MSU missed all four of its three-point attempts in the extra session.
Missouri State coach Dana Ford is a former Illinois State player and assistant coach. He was an assistant to current Redbird head coach Dan Muller.
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Drake entertains Valparaiso on Thursday and we expect another wild finish.