South Padre Island, TX (Sports Network) - Bryant Allen scored a career-high 30
points as the Illinois State Redbirds cruised by the UAB Blazers, 77-65, in
the semifinal round of the 2012 South Padre Invitational at the South Padre
Island Convention Center.
Allen was 9-of-15 shooting from the floor, including six makes from three-point
range, to go with six steals in the Illinois State (5-0) victory. Tyler Brown
scored 15 points while he was a perfect 7-7 from the free-throw line. Jackie
Carmichael also got into the mix as he added 11 points and five blocks.
Jordan Swing recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds for UAB
(3-2). Rod Rucker was the only other Blazer in double figures with 14 points
in the setback. The loss was the first of UAB's first-year head coach Jerod
Haase's career.
Both teams struggled from beyond the arc in the first half, leading to a 34-30
Illinois State halftime lead. UAB made 2-of-7 from distance while Illinois
State made only 3-of-10 from deep in the opening 20 minutes.
The Redbirds made some progress in the second half, hitting on 41.2 percent
from the floor (14-of-34). UAB seemed to regress, hitting only 35.3 percent of
shots from the floor, allowing Illinois State to capture the double-digit win.
Illinois State forced 27 turnovers, 15 of which were Redbirds' steals.
The Redbirds will advance to face Northwestern in the championship game.
GAME NOTES:
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