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Lloyd Phillips' 18 points led four Illinois State players in double figures and the Redbirds pulled away from Evansville in the second half for a 70-56 victory.
Dinma Odiakosa had 13 points and 11 rebounds for Illinois State (13-4, 4-2 Missouri Valley). Austin Hill scored 14 points and Alex Rubin matched his career high with 13 for the Redbirds, whose top scorer this season, Osiris Eldridge, was held to two points in 29 minutes.
Colt Ryan scored 22 to lead Evansville (6-10, 0-6) and Denver Holmes had 10. The Aces outscored the Redbirds 30-18 in the paint but Illinois State was 20-for-23 from the free-throw line, led by Hill's 8-for-8. Evansville was 7-for-8 at the line.
The Redbirds led 33-31 at halftime, and the Aces trailed 47-46 with just under 12 minutes remaining. A 9-2 run later in the half gave Illinois State a 64-54 lead.
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