Indiana State Edges Illinois State in Thrilling Finish
Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Hulman Center
Indiana State Sycamores 94, Illinois State Redbirds 89, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Illinois State Redbirds vs Indiana State Sycamores?
Indiana State Sycamores beat Illinois State Redbirds 94-89 at Hulman Center on January 14, 2026.
Who was favored in Illinois State Redbirds vs Indiana State Sycamores?
Illinois State Redbirds were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -270 (about 73% implied). The underdog won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Indiana State Sycamores triumphed over the Illinois State Redbirds with a final score of 94-89. The game, held at the Hulman Center, showcased a fierce battle as both teams fought for supremacy in the NCAAB landscape. Indiana State's victory marks a significant turnaround after a string of recent losses, particularly against Illinois State, who had previously defeated them 85-65 just weeks prior on December 21, 2025.
Coming into this game, Indiana State had a home record of 9-9 and was struggling with a recent form of 4-6 over their last ten games. They were on a three-game losing streak, having lost to Evansville, Drake, and Northern Iowa. In those games, Indiana State averaged 77.2 points scored while allowing 75.5 points, indicating a high-scoring but defensively vulnerable style of play. Their last five games showed a slight dip in performance, with an average of 70.6 points scored and 77.2 points allowed.
On the other hand, Illinois State entered the game with a stronger away record of 12-6 and had been performing well with a record of 7-3 in their last ten games, though they were also on a two-game losing streak. The Redbirds managed to average 77.0 points scored while allowing just 65.5 points during that stretch, showcasing their capability to both score and defend effectively. Their recent losses to UIC and Valparaiso were unexpected, especially after a string of wins that included a decisive victory over Indiana State just weeks earlier.
The matchup was significant not only for the standings but also for the rivalry between the two teams. Historically, Indiana State has a record of 1-2 against Illinois State in their last three meetings, with the most recent game resulting in a loss for the Sycamores. This made their victory even sweeter as they sought to reverse their fortunes against a familiar foe.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but both teams would have likely been managing player fitness as the season progresses. The absence of key players can often sway the outcome in tightly contested games like this one.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Illinois State favored by 6.5 points, with a total over/under set at 148.5. This indicated that the market expected a high-scoring affair, which ultimately came to fruition as both teams combined for 183 points. The odds also reflected the perceived strength of Illinois State as they entered the game with a moneyline of -270, while Indiana State was at +220.
Conditions in the arena were conducive to a high-paced game, with both teams looking to exploit fast-break opportunities and capitalize on defensive lapses. As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to a thrilling display of basketball, with crucial free throws and layups determining the final outcome. Chase Walker and Enel St. Bernard were pivotal in the closing moments, contributing key free throws and baskets that sealed the win for Indiana State.
As the final buzzer sounded, Indiana State celebrated a hard-fought victory that not only improved their record but also boosted their confidence moving forward in the season. The game served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of college basketball, where rivalries and recent form can collide in dramatic fashion.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | ILST -6.5 | 148.5 o -115 / u -105 | Illinois State Redbirds -270 · Indiana State Sycamores +220 |
Leaders
- PointsXavier Hall16Indiana State Sycamores
- AssistsSterling Young5Indiana State Sycamores
- ReboundsEnel St. Bernard6Indiana State Sycamores
- PointsChase Walker21Illinois State Redbirds
- AssistsJohnny Kinziger3Illinois State Redbirds
- ReboundsChase Walker4Illinois State Redbirds
Recent form
Indiana State Sycamores
Last 10: 4-6Streak L377.2 scored · 75.5 allowed per game3-2 at home
- L69-72vs Evansville Purple AcesJan 10
- L72-74at Drake BulldogsJan 4
- L66-75at Northern Iowa PanthersJan 2
- W81-80vs Belmont BruinsDec 30
- L65-85at Illinois State RedbirdsDec 21
- L99-108vs Bradley BravesDec 19
- W70-68at Milwaukee PanthersDec 14
- W77-55vs Southern Indiana Screaming EaglesDec 7
- W99-57vs Eureka Red DevilsDec 3
- L74-81at Alcorn State BravesNov 28
Illinois State Redbirds
Last 10: 7-3Streak L277 scored · 65.5 allowed per game2-2 away
- L59-63vs UIC FlamesJan 10
- L71-77at Valparaiso BeaconsJan 8
- W73-47vs Evansville Purple AcesJan 1
- W73-56at Drake BulldogsDec 30
- W85-65vs Indiana State SycamoresDec 21
- W75-68at Southern Illinois SalukisDec 19
- L78-83at Utah State AggiesDec 13
- W95-53vs Chicago State CougarsDec 7
- W89-78vs Eastern Kentucky ColonelsDec 4
- W72-65vs Furman PaladinsNov 28
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont | 26-6 | - | 16-4 |
| Bradley | 21-13 | 3 | 13-7 |
| Illinois State | 23-13 | 4 | 12-8 |
| Murray State | 20-13 | 4 | 12-8 |
| UIC | 19-16 | 4 | 12-8 |
| Northern Iowa | 23-13 | 5 | 11-9 |
| Valparaiso | 18-15 | 5 | 11-9 |
| Southern Illinois | 16-16 | 6 | 10-10 |
| Drake | 14-20 | 10 | 6-14 |
| Indiana State | 11-21 | 12 | 4-16 |
| Evansville | 7-25 | 13 | 3-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Illinois State Redbirds | Indiana State Sycamores |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 31-56 | 32-57 |
| Field goal % | 55 | 56 |
| Three-pointers | 9-21 | 8-24 |
| Three-point % | 43 | 33 |
| Free throws | 18-24 | 22-30 |
| Free throw % | 75 | 73 |
| Rebounds | 28 | 30 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 21 | 22 |
| Assists | 10 | 26 |
| Steals | 4 | 4 |
| Blocks | 2 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 6 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 7 | 9 |
| Fast-break points | 9 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 36 | 44 |
| Fouls | 22 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 4 | 16 |
| Lead changes | 8 | 8 |
| Time in front | 7 | 87 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half54-64Sterling Young makes 24-foot three point jumper (Ian Scott assists)
- 2nd Half56-64Chase Walker makes layup
- 2nd Half58-64Chase Walker makes layup
- 2nd Half58-67Xavier Hall makes 24-foot three point jumper (Sterling Young assists)
- 2nd Half58-69Enel St. Bernard makes 4-foot dunk (Xavier Hall assists)
- 2nd Half58-70Ian Scott makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-72Enel St. Bernard makes 5-foot alley oop dunk (Jo Van Buggenhout assists)
- 2nd Half61-72Landon Wolf makes 25-foot three point jumper (Johnny Kinziger assists)
- 2nd Half61-73Enel St. Bernard makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-74Enel St. Bernard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-74Landon Wolf makes 5-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half63-77Sivert Nordheim makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jo Van Buggenhout assists)
- 2nd Half63-79Sivert Nordheim makes 16-foot jumper
- 2nd Half64-79Chase Walker makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-79Chase Walker makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-79Landon Wolf makes 12-foot jumper
- 2nd Half69-79Landon Moore makes 10-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half69-80Derek Vorst makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-80Johnny Kinziger makes 12-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half71-83Derek Vorst makes 25-foot three point jumper (Sterling Young assists)
- 2nd Half72-83Landon Moore makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-83Boden Skunberg makes driving layup
- 2nd Half74-84Bruno Alocen makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-84Chase Walker makes 2-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half78-84Boden Skunberg makes 7-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half78-86Ian Scott makes layup (Bruno Alocen assists)
- 2nd Half80-86Brandon Lieb makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half81-86Brandon Lieb makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half81-87Xavier Hall makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half81-88Xavier Hall makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half83-88Chase Walker makes 4-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half85-88Boden Skunberg makes layup
- 2nd Half86-88Chase Walker makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half87-88Chase Walker makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half87-89Enel St. Bernard makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half87-91Enel St. Bernard makes layup
- 2nd Half87-92Sterling Young makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half87-93Sterling Young makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half89-93Chase Walker makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half89-94Xavier Hall makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Indiana State Sycamores, below favours Illinois State Redbirds.
Venue
- Hulman CenterTerre Haute, IN
- Attendance4452
- OfficialsDarron George, John Hampton, Eric Curry
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