ISU
vs
Oakland University (Michigan)
November 15th

With ISU returning only 1 starter and 3 reserves from last years team coupled with 8 newcomers you knew some hard time could be coming. It was painfully evident as Oakland, a 2nd year D1 team defeated ISU at Redbird Arena 72-71.
The Golden Grizzlies race out to a 16 point first half lead on some extremely hot shooting before ISU realized this wasn't just another preseason warmup. Oakland connected on 8 of their first 13 3 point shots with Brad Buddenborg scoring 17 points in the first half. The Redbirds stepped up their defensive effort in the first halfs closing minutes to get within 8 at 40-32 at half time.
The Birds continued the momentum into the second half to take a 5 point lead, with Oakland hitting only 4 of their first 16 shots. Unfortunately they regained their shooting touch making 8 of their next 11. They quickly regained the lead and ISU never really threatened them till the final minute.
Down 8 with 1:04 to go Victor Williams made 4 straight free throws in 5 seconds of play to cut the lead to 4. Then Leroy Watkins hit a turnaround jumper to close within 2 with 21.9 seconds to go.Buddenborg mage 2 free throws, them Williams made a layup with 10 seconds to go to cut the lead back to 2 at 72-70. Two missed Oakland free throws later ISU got the ball back with 9.2 seconds to go. A Williams runner in the lane was waved off as a foul was called on the floor with 2.3 seconds to go. He made the first but missed the second toss and Oakland grabbed the rebound for the 72-71 final.
Williams paced ISU with team highs of 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 7 steals. The only other bright spots in the game were the play of Sean Riley (12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks) and Tyrone Brown (11 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists). Riley played a very good game showing excellent hustle and Brown finally showed the potential he has after 2 mediocre performances in the exhibition games.

                Oakland-Michigan 72, ILLINOIS STATE 71
  

      OAKLAND (1-1)

      Thom 4-11 1-2 12, J. Champagne 4-7 2-2 10, D. Champagne 9-11 0-1
      18, Reynolds 0-4 1-2 1, Buddenborg 8-15 2-2 24, Rozycki 1-3 0-0
      3, Hiller 0-1 0-0 0, Covington 0-7 0-2 0, Williams 2-3 0-0 4.
      Totals 28-62 6-11 72.

      ILLINOIS STATE (0-1)

      Brown 5-8 1-2 11, Riley 4-7 4-5 12, Watkins 2-8 2-4 6, Bryson
      4-14 0-0 9, Cartmill 1-4 0-0 3, Williams 6-13, 5-6 19, Pierson
      0-0 1-2 1, Crowley 1-1 0-0 8. Totals 27-65 13-19 71.

      Halftime-Oakland 40, Illinois St. 32. 3-Point goals-Oakland 10-25
      (Thom 3-8, Reynolds 0-1, Buddenborg 6-9, Rozycki 1-3, Hiller 0-1,
      Covington 0-3), Illinois St. 4-22. Fouled out-0. Rebounds-Oakland
      Oakland 40 (D. Champagne 10), Illinois St. 39 (Williams 7).
      Assists-Oakland 18 (Thom 7), Illinois St. 12 (Watkins, Williams
      3). Total fouls-Oakland 16, Home 13.

      A-6,561.