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Illinois State Drops 2020 Opener at Southern Illinois

CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Illinois State Redbirds made just 8-of-23 shots in the first half and none of their 10 long-range tries, as the team was unable to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit in a 67-55 loss to open the 2020 calendar year.

How it Happened

The Redbirds jumped out quickly, with a basket by DJ Horne in the game's first possession, and a Zach Copeland jumper pushed ISU back ahead at 4-2 with 18:02 to play over the opening 20 minutes. The Redbird offense hit a cold spell and would not be able to reach the scoreboard until Rey Idowu snapped the four-and-a-half-minute scoreless streak with a pair of free throws as SIU had run off seven consecutive points.