NORMAL, Ill. (AP) — Daishon Knight scored 16 points and converted all eight of his free-throw attempts in the final 1:55 as Illinois State topped Tennessee State 64-58 Thursday night.
M.J. Rhett hit a pair of free throws with 4:41 remaining to pull Tennessee State (1-11) within three, 43-40, but Bobby Hunter responded with a 3-pointer 30 seconds later. Illinois State (6-5), which never trailed, made 18 of 20 free throws down the stretch to hold off the Tigers.
Both teams struggled shooting the basketball as the Redbirds hit 17 of 51 (33.3 percent) from the field and Tennessee State made 22 of 64 (34.4 percent), but Illinois State separated itself at the charity stripe. The Redbirds made 23 of 29 free throws; Tennessee State hit 9 of 16.
Paris Lee finished with 11 points, six assists and four steals in the win.
Kennedy Eubanks scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds for TSU.
