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Watch now: Four takeaways as emotional Illinois State comes up short against UNI

NORMAL — The pain was evident on Antonio Reeves' face during Tuesday night's postgame news conference.

It didn't come from getting his shot blocked in the closing seconds of Illinois State's 72-70 loss to Northern Iowa, either.

The Redbirds played their first game without Dan Muller, who was fired as ISU's head coach on Sunday. UNI, battling for the Missouri Valley Conference title, couldn't shake loose from an ISU squad still emotional from the events of the previous three days with Brian Jones serving as interim head coach.

Noah Carter provided more hurt.