The first three times, Miller made a go-ahead layup to give the Bears (9-13, 5-5) the win. Against Illinois State on Saturday, it sent MSU into overtime at 72.
It was the Redbirds’ (12-11, 6-4) game to lose with 51 seconds left in regulation, leading 68-64. MSU’s head coach Paul Lusk received a technical foul and ISU should have had the game dead to rights.
Yet something unexpected happened. ISU sophomore forward Deontae Hawkins missed both free throws. A free throw shooting match then ensued, finishing with two clutch free throws by Redbird senior guard DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell, which pushed the lead to 72-69.