With the teams tied at 21, Illinois State went on an 18-5 run over the final nine minutes to lead 39-26 at halftime. The Redbirds held Missouri State scoreless for nearly six minutes during the span, with the Bears going 0-for-5 from the field and adding three turnovers.
Missouri State shot just 36 percent from the field for the game and allowed 23 second-chance points.
Eldridge was 5-for-9 in 3-point attempts in his fourth straight game reaching double-figure scoring. Slack's double-double was his fourth this season.
Deven Mitchell and Justin Fuehrmeyer led Missouri State with 12 points each. Spencer Laurie scored 11 points.
The troubles away from home continue for Missouri State, which has dropped 11 straight away from Springfield, Mo., after falling to ISU on Wednesday.
The Bears just broke a six-game overall losing streak and felt good about themselves heading out on the road, but ISU took control from the get-go and never gave MSU a chance to break its road losing streak.
Although the Bears play three of their final five games at home, even those aren't sure victories, with league-leading Drake joining Evansville and Central Michigan on the visitors' list.
MSU would like to avoid the first day of the MVC tournament, somehow moving up to a top six spot for a first-round bye. But with a 5-9 record in league play, the Bears need to really get moving if they're going to be moving up.
Unfortunately, MSU's weakness on the road won't make it easy unless coach Barry Hinson can find the magic words to conjure up better play away from home.
- Jay (MO ST BEARS)


Daniela Hantuchova
Ashley Allen

Comments (0) Add A Comment
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.