TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (Interstat) — In a high-octane Missouri Valley Conference clash defined by offensive efficiency and a frantic final minute, the Indiana State Sycamores edged the Illinois State Redbirds 94-89 on Wednesday night at Hulman Center.

The game, witnessed by a crowd of 4,452, saw both teams trade blows with remarkable shooting accuracy. The Sycamores improved to 9-9 overall and leveled their conference mark, while the Redbirds fell to 12-6.

The contest turned decisively in the final 17 seconds. With Indiana State clinging to a 91-89 lead, Illinois State guard Tyreek Coleman drove for a potential tying layup, only to have it emphatically swatted away by Sycamores forward Enel St. Bernard. Sterling Young secured the loose ball for Indiana State and was fouled, sinking both free throws to push the lead to four.

After a missed Illinois State attempt, Xavier Hall was fouled and made one of two free throws with eight seconds left to seal the five-point victory, capping a tense finish that saw the lead change hands multiple times in the final three minutes.

The most critical sequence began with just over a minute to play and the score knotted at 89. Following an Illinois State turnover, St. Bernard was fouled and made one of two free throws to give Indiana State a 90-89 edge. On the ensuing Redbirds possession, Chase Walker’s layup attempt rimmed out, and St. Bernard secured the defensive board. That set the stage for the Sycamores’ decisive run, culminating in Coleman’s blocked shot and Young’s clutch free throws.

The game was a statistical oddity, featuring nearly identical team lines but a disparity at the foul line. Both teams shot over 55% from the floor, with Illinois State at 55.4% and Indiana State at 56.1%. They each made four assists and four steals. The difference came at the charity stripe, where Indiana State converted 22 of 30 attempts compared to Illinois State’s 18 of 24.

Indiana State built its victory on a balanced scoring attack and a strong first half. The Sycamores raced to a 51-42 halftime lead behind 16 points from Xavier Hall, who finished with a team-high 16 points. Sterling Young orchestrated the offense with 14 points and five assists, while St. Bernard provided a major two-way impact with 14 points, two assists and two blocks, including the game-sealing rejection.

Ian Scott added 13 points, three assists and a block for the Sycamores, whose ball security—only six turnovers—proved vital in the tight contest.

Illinois State was led by the formidable inside presence of Chase Walker. The 6-foot-9, 275-pound forward from Columbus, Ohio, scored a game-high 21 points in just 26 minutes, adding two blocks. Guard Tyreek Coleman from Aurora, Illinois, kept the Redbirds in striking distance with 18 points, fueled by aggressive drives to the basket.

Support came from Boden Skunberg with 12 points and Landon Wolf with 10, but the Redbirds’ eight turnovers, though not excessive, came at inopportune moments down the stretch.

The loss snapped a brief two-game skid for Illinois State in conference play, while Indiana State bounced back from a home loss to Evansville their last time out. The Sycamores also avenged an 85-65 loss to the Redbirds in Normal just over three weeks prior.

The game’s total of 183 points far exceeded pregame expectations, as both offenses operated at an elite level. According to advanced metrics, Indiana State posted an offensive rating of 130.1 points per 100 possessions, slightly edging Illinois State’s 128.2, in a contest where defensive stops were at a premium until the final, decisive sequence.

Illinois State returns home to face Bradley on Saturday. Indiana State hits the road for a matchup at Murray State, also on Saturday.