Redbirds Down Salukis on Senior Night

NORMAL, Ill. – Paris Lee scored a career-high 21 points and the Illinois State men's basketball team led for all but 2:36 in a 73-50 win over Southern Illinois Wednesday night on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.

Lee scored 15 of his 21 points in the first half and also dished out a team-high four assists. DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell made the most of his senior night with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Deontae Hawkins added 15 points and seven rebounds.

Southern Illinois scored the first points of the game off of a 3-pointer, but Illinois State (18-12, 12-5 MVC) responded with an 8-0 run from Lee and Hawkins to take an 8-3 lead into the first media timeout and Southern would never lead…