Illinois State tops DePaul 78-72
By Sports Xchange
DePaul guard Billy Garrett Jr. dribbles the ball against Illinois State Redbirds guard Paris Lee (1) and forward Deontae Hawkins (23) during the second half. (Mike Dinovo / USA Today Sports)
ROSEMONT. Ill. -- Paris Lee hit a desperation baseline 3-pointer and guard Daishon Knight picked up a loose ball and scored in a stunning seven-point turnaround as the Illinois State Redbirds overtook the host DePaul Blue Demons in the final minute in a 78-72 non-conference victory on Sunday at Allstate Arena.
Lee, a sophomore guard, was fouled on his baseline shot and added a free throw to give the Redbirds a 70-69 lead with 58 seconds left. Knight picked up the ball after DePaul bobbled an inbound pass and converted a layup, was fouled and added a free throw for a 73-69 lead with 42 seconds to play.
The victory capped a rally from a nine-point second-half deficit as the Redbirds (5-3) won their second straight while DePaul (6-3) lost its second consecutive game.
Knight collected a game-high 25 points, including 16 in the second half. Forward MiKyle McIntosh had 14 while Lynch added 13 points and 13 rebounds. Lee closed with nine points.
Forward Jamee Crockett led DePaul with 22 points, Tommy Hamilton IV had 13 points and 10 rebounds while forward Myke Henry and guard Billy Garrett had 12 and 10 points, respectively.
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The teams traded leads seven times in the opening half, the last coming on guard Justin McCloud's 4-point play with two seconds showing as Illinois State opened a 33-30 halftime edge. McCloud was fouled by Durrell McDonald on his 3-point try.
DePaul went back ahead at 40-39 on Hamilton's free throw that was part of a 10-1 second half run. The Blue Demons lead reached a game-high nine points at 58-49 on Garrett's layup at the 8:16 mark but didn't last.
Illinois State now has a three-game winning streak in a series that dates back to 1909 and resumed last year after a 17-year hiatus. DePaul still leads 22-5 and suffered its first home loss to the Redbirds in 13 starts.
NOTES: Illinois State was idle for a full week following an 85-73 overtime victory over Youngstown State on Dec. 7. ... The game at Allstate Arena opens a stretch of four games in eight days for the Redbirds. ... Head coach Dan Muller was an Illinois State freshman the last time the Redbirds played DePaul inChicago in 1995. ... G DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell came into the game with a team-leading 15.7 points per game and fifth among Missouri Valley players. ... DePaul was shooting 49.4 percent from the field (209-of-423) entering Sunday, ranked 22nd in the country. ... F Myke Henry was averaging 17.6 points per game, good for 72nd nationally. ... C Tommy Hamilton IV earned Big East honor roll selection last week after averaging 17.7 points and 7.3 rebounds in a 3-0 week. ... DePaul plays at Oregon State on Thursday before heading to Hawaii for a three-game holiday tournament next week.
Illinois State Redbirds