Illinois State Dominates Missouri State in MVC Tournament Opener

ST. LOUIS, MO (AP) — Illinois State University showcased a commanding performance on Thursday, defeating Missouri State University 70-54 in the opening round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The Redbirds improved their season record to 19-13 and are set to face No. 4 Belmont in the quarterfinals.

Leading the charge for Illinois State was Johnny Kinziger, who scored 13 points and secured six rebounds, contributing significantly to his team’s success. He was joined by teammate Chase Walker, who added 12 points and dished out eight assists. The duo’s efforts helped Illinois State pull ahead decisively by halftime, leading 38-23 after Kinziger’s strong performance.

“We knew we had to set the tone early,” Kinziger said after the game. “Our defensive effort and teamwork made the difference.”

Despite a challenging season, Missouri State, with a record of 9-23, had its top scorers in Vincent Brady II and Dez White, both finishing with 10 points.

The game saw Illinois State take a firm grip on the lead with just under 10 minutes remaining in the first half, a momentum that they maintained throughout. The Redbirds extended their lead to 56-35 in the second half, including an 8-0 run that left the Bears scrambling.

“We missed some key opportunities early, but we have to learn from this moving forward,” Brady II said in reflection on the game. “It’s tough to finish the season like this.”

By the conclusion of the match, the Redbirds had outperformed the Bears both in shooting percentages and rebounds, leading in field goal percentage at 34.5% compared to Missouri State’s 26.3%.

As the focus shifts to the quarterfinals, Illinois State will look to build on this momentum against Belmont, aiming for a deeper run in the tournament.