Odum leads Sycamores past Redbirds in overtime

The Indiana State Sycamores defeated the Illinois State Redbirds Tuesday evening at the Hulman Center.

Sophomore guard Jake Odum, led the way for the Sycamores finishing with a career-high 34 points to go along with seven rebounds and seven assists. Joining Odum in double figures were senior center, Myles Walker and senior guard, Jordan Printy, with 16 and 15 points respectively. The Redbirds were led by freshman guard Nic Moore, with 16 points.

With the win, the Sycamores improve their record to 16-11 overall and 7-9 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Meanwhile, the Redbirds drop their record to 16-11 overall and 8-8 in the conference.

The Sycamores scored first as Odum converted a traditional 3-point play following a missed jumper from Carmichael on the Redbird's opening possession. The score came to a tie on three different occasions before the Redbirds were able to ignite a 7-2 run beginning at the 13:37 mark after a jumper from freshman center Jordan Threloff. After missing his first three field goals, Printy buried a 3-pointer for the Sycamores with 8:48 remaining in the first half to cut the deficit to three, igniting an 11-2 run of their own over the next six minutes of the period to gain a 26-20 lead. Illinois State, however, was able to enter the locker room with a four-point, 32-28 lead

The Sycamores came out of the locker room firing with a 3-pointer from the wing by Printy. Odum quickly followed with a layup of his own to give Indiana State the lead just 26 seconds into the final half.

Illinois State responded and gained the lead with a 10-3 run of their own until the Sycamores were able to tie the score up at 46 at the 13:43 mark after a jumper from Walker. Redbird sophomore forward, Jon Ekey, hit a 3-pointer with 12:35 remaining in the game that would give the Redbirds the lead for nearly 10 minutes until Printy was able to bury a jumper to tie the game at 67. Odum went on to connect on two free throws followed by a jumper with just 36 seconds remaining in the game to give Indiana State a 3-point, 68-71 lead. Richard was fouled and converted two clutch free throws to give Indiana State another 3-point lead with 12.4 seconds on the clock. Following a huge game-tying 3-pointer from the Redbirds, Odum drove the length of the floor and was fouled on a jump shot leaving just under two seconds left on the game clock. Odum was unable to convert on his free throws, sending the game into overtime after a missed full-court heave from Illinois State.

The Sycamores were able to control the majority of the overtime period jumping out to a 6-0 run before the Redbirds converted on two free throws with 1:19 on the clock. Illinois State went on to hit only field goal in the extra five minutes, assuring Indiana State a big win in a comeback thriller at the Hulman Center.

The Sycamores will be back in action on Saturday, February 18 when they travel to Hinkle Fieldhouse to take on the Butler Bulldogs as part of the Sears Bracketbusters event. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:07 p.m.