Tribune Wire Services
Dinma Odiakosa had 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead Illinois State to its seventh straight victory, 75-62 over Central Michigan.
Osiris Eldridge scored 13 points, Lloyd Phillips had 12 and Alex Rubin 10 for the Redbirds (7-0), who were 21-for-26 from the free-throw line.
The Redbirds led 37-31 at halftime and maintained the lead the rest of the way, with the Chippewas getting within 39-37 early in the second half. A 3-pointer by Phillips gave Illinois State a 10-point lead with just under six minutes to play.
Wisconsin-Green Bay 85, Illinois-Chicago 59: Rahmon Fletcher had 24 points to lead Wisconsin-Green Bay (8-0, 2-0 Horizon League). Zavion Neely had 15 points to lead the Flames (1-5, 0-2). Jeremy Buttell added 10 points, including two 3-pointers, and K.C. Robbins added 10 points and nine rebounds.
Loyola 69, Wisconsin-Milwaukee 64: Geoff McKammon scored 18 points and Courtney Stanley added 13 to lead Loyola. Terrance Hill had 11 points for the Ramblers (5-2, 1-1 Horizon League). Lonnie Boga's layup tied the game at 44-44 with 11:37 remaining, but McKammon nailed a 3-pointer and two free throws and Hill made two field goals over the next three minutes to give Loyola a 53-49 lead. The Ramblers maintained that small cushion the rest of the way.
Saint Louis 71, Southern Illinois 61: Kwamain Mitchell scored 22 points, including two 3-pointers during a key second-half run for Saint Louis. Kevin Dillard had 23 points to lead Southern Illinois (3-2), which uncharacteristically struggled from 3-point distance. The Salukis, who came in shooting 40.4 percent from long range, went 4-for-23 from beyond the 3-point line, including 0-for-11 in the second half.
Austin Peay 73, Eastern Illinois 60: Austin Peay has beaten Eastern Illinois 10 straight times. The Panthers (4-3, 1-1) were led by Tyler Laser with 14 points. Austin Peay outrebounded the Panthers 33-22.
South Dakota State 80, Western Illinois 74: South Dakota State overcame a 14-point, second-half deficit to defeat Western Illinois. Western Illinois (3-5, 0-2) shot 58.3 percent during the game but was outrebounded 40-22. Matt Lander led the Leathernecks with 17 points. James Granstra, Ceola Clark and Jeremy Felton each had 12.
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Looks like Illinois' "Second University", ISU, bears watching this year. Although I am an Illini fan and alum, I saw ISU play earlier this year and they have a real prospect in Chicago native Osiris Eldridge. Redbird Arena is one of the nicest basketball facilities in the state, and a tough place for visitors. ISU will lose a few in the MVC (a competitive conference that does not get the respect it deserves), but maybe in March we might have a few teams from Illinois in the big dance: Illinois, ISU, Bradley, and Northwestern. Would not count out SIU either.