NORMAL — DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell, Justin McCloud and Quintin Brewer were honored on Senior Night before Wednesday night’s game at Redbird Arena. Then it was time for Illinois State’s defense to take center stage.
Paris Lee, Tony Wills and Deontae Hawkins led a first-half charge that produced a 24-point lead against Southern Illinois. The Redbirds cruised in the second half and routed the Salukis, 73-50, in a Missouri Valley Conference basketball game before a crowd of 6,052.
“I told them it was Senior Night, but we just have to come out here and play. No emotions on the court,” said Akoon-Purcell, who scored 13 of his 16 points in the second half to dash any Saluki comeback hopes.