Indiana State Basketball stumbles with 1st home loss of season against Illinois State
By Chad Winch
The Indiana State men's basketball team experienced their first home loss of the 2023-24 season, succumbing to Illinois State with a final score of 80-67. This defeat marks a notable setback for Indiana State, bringing their overall record to 22-4, with a conference standing of 13-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Despite a valiant effort from key players like Julian Larry, who led the scoring for Indiana State with 20 points, the team struggled to find its rhythm early in the game. Isaiah Swope contributed 18 points, while Ryan Conwell added 10 points to the tally. However, their efforts weren't enough to overcome Illinois State's determined play.
The game started with Indiana State missing its initial five shots, allowing Illinois State to take an early 6-0 lead. The Sycamores faced an uphill battle throughout the match, with Illinois State maintaining a solid lead for the majority of the game. Indiana State's three-point shooting, in particular, was uncharacteristically poor, with the team finishing the first half at an abysmal 5.88% from beyond the arc.
Despite a brief surge in the second half that saw Indiana State close the deficit to just two points, they were unable to sustain momentum. Illinois State's relentless offense and strong defensive play proved to be too much for Indiana State to handle.
In addition to suffering their first home loss of the season, Indiana State also recorded several season lows in key statistical categories. Their field goal percentage dropped to 36.4%, while their three-point shooting percentage plummeted to 21.1%. However, the team did find some success in other areas, shooting an impressive 92% from the free-throw line.
Next. Latest Bubble Watch. Latest Bubble Watch. dark
Looking ahead, Indiana State will aim to bounce back from this defeat as they prepare to face Southern Illinois on February 17. With their sights set on redemption, the team will need to regroup and refocus in order to maintain their strong position in the Missouri Valley Conference standings.