Murray State Racers @ Illinois State Redbirds
Illinois State holds on late to beat Murray State 63-61
NORMAL, Ill. -- Deontae Hawkins scored 16 points with nine rebounds and Illinois State held on late to beat Murray State 63-61 on Sunday.
Illinois State (4-6) led by three with 50 seconds left. Murray State's Bryce Jones missed a jumper and the long rebound went to MiKyle McIntosh. He found a streaking DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell, who went the length for the jam and a five-point lead. Jones drained a 3 to pull back to within two. After a timeout, the Redbirds broke the press, but Akoon-Purcell missed the front of a 1-and-1.
Murray State (5-5) had trouble with the inbounds play, and Jeffery Moss missed an off-balance 3 for the final.
Akoon-Purcell and Nick Banyard finished with 11 points apiece.
Wayne Langston led Murray State with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Jones and Damarcus Croaker scored 12 points apiece.
Game Information
Normal, IL
Referee:Rick Randall
Referee:Brad Ferrie
Referee:Jeff Malham
2025-26 Standings
| Missouri Valley ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 16-4 | - | 26-6 |
| Bradley | 13-7 | 3 | 21-13 |
| Illinois State | 12-8 | 4 | 23-13 |
| Murray State | 12-8 | 4 | 20-13 |
| UIC | 12-8 | 4 | 19-16 |
| Northern Iowa | 11-9 | 5 | 23-13 |
| Valparaiso | 11-9 | 5 | 18-15 |
| Southern Illinois | 10-10 | 6 | 16-16 |
| Drake | 6-14 | 10 | 14-20 |
| Indiana State | 4-16 | 12 | 11-21 |
| Evansville | 3-17 | 13 | 7-25 |
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