NORMAL, Ill. (Interstat) — In a pivotal late-season Missouri Valley Conference clash that lived up to its billing, Illinois State used a decisive second-half surge and a commanding performance at the free-throw line to hand Belmont only its fifth loss of the season, 81-74, on Sunday at Redbird Arena.

A crowd of 6,149 saw the Redbirds, now 20-11, avenge a January loss to the Bruins and bolster their postseason resume by overcoming a slight halftime deficit with a more efficient and aggressive offensive display after the break. Belmont, which entered the game with a sterling 26-4 record, saw a four-game winning streak snapped.

The most critical phase of the contest unfolded over a tense five-minute stretch midway through the second half. Leading 47-44, Illinois State unleashed a 15-4 run that shifted the game’s momentum permanently. The run was a microcosm of the game’s defining themes: timely three-point shooting and relentless attacking of the basket to draw fouls.

Boden Skunberg, who finished with 15 points, ignited the run with a three-pointer. After a Belmont turnover, Skunberg was fouled on a three-point attempt and calmly sank all three free throws. On the ensuing possession, forward Brandon Lieb drew a foul and hit two more from the line. Following another Bruin miscue, Skunberg struck again from beyond the arc, pushing the Illinois State lead to 62-51 with 8:37 remaining.

Belmont, which had led 40-38 at halftime, struggled to counterpunch during this pivotal sequence. The Bruins, who shot just 56.3 percent from the free-throw line, could not keep pace with an Illinois State offense that was both precise from deep and ruthless in converting its opportunities at the stripe. The Redbirds finished 19 of 23 on free throws, a stark contrast to Belmont’s 9-of-16 performance.

Johnny Kinziger orchestrated the Illinois State offense masterfully, scoring 16 points and dishing out six assists. His backcourt partner, Ty Pence, added 14 points, while reserve big man Chase Walker provided a crucial spark with 12 points in just 10 minutes of action. The Redbirds shot 47.2 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three-point range, scoring 81 points on just 62 possessions for an elite offensive rating of 130.8.

Belmont was led by Tyler Lundblade’s 17 points, with Jabez Jenkins adding 14 and Drew Scharnowski contributing 11 off the bench. The Bruins actually shot a slightly higher percentage from the floor and from three-point range than the Redbirds, but their inability to get to the line with the same frequency and convert when they did proved a fatal flaw. They also managed only five assists on 27 made field goals.

The game was a tightly contested, physical affair throughout, featuring eight ties and 10 lead changes. Belmont built an early eight-point lead behind hot outside shooting, but Illinois State chipped away, using a 9-0 run late in the first half to grab a brief lead before the Bruins took their slim advantage into the locker room.

The second half belonged to the Redbirds. After Belmont drew within three points on a Jenkins three-pointer with 16:14 to play, Illinois State began its game-defining run. The Bruins would get no closer than five points the rest of the way, as the Redbirds consistently answered every Belmont basket with one of their own or a trip to the free-throw line.

In the final minute, with Illinois State protecting a five-point lead, Kinziger sealed the victory by drawing a foul and sinking two free throws with nine seconds left. A final missed free throw by Belmont allowed the Redbirds to secure the rebound and the seven-point victory.

The win moves Illinois State to 20 wins on the season and provides a significant Quadrant 2 victory as the conference tournament approaches. For Belmont, the loss is a setback but does little to diminish a remarkable 26-5 campaign. Both teams will now turn their attention to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, where this result will likely fuel a potential third meeting.