Illinois State Dominates Indiana State in Convincing Win
Sunday, December 21, 2025, 5:00 PM ET · CEFCU Arena
Illinois State Redbirds 85, Indiana State Sycamores 65, 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 Indiana State Sycamores vs Illinois State Redbirds?
Illinois State Redbirds beat Indiana State Sycamores 85-65 at CEFCU Arena on December 21, 2025.
Who was favored in Indiana State Sycamores vs Illinois State Redbirds?
Illinois State Redbirds were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -950 (about 90% implied). The favorite won.
The Illinois State Redbirds showcased their strength at home with a decisive victory over the Indiana State Sycamores, finishing the game with a score of 85-65. This match, held at CEFCU Arena, highlighted Illinois State's impressive home record, which now stands at 6-0 this season, and their overall record of 10-3. The Redbirds' performance continues to build on their recent form, where they have won eight of their last ten games, averaging 82.4 points while allowing only 67.3 points per game during that stretch.
In contrast, the Indiana State Sycamores, now with a record of 7-6, have struggled recently, having lost their last game against Bradley and only winning six of their last ten. Their scoring average during this period is 74.8 points, while they have allowed 70.2 points per game. Indiana State's away record now stands at 2-3, indicating challenges when playing outside their home venue.
The matchup between these two teams has been competitive, with the Redbirds and Sycamores having split their previous two meetings this season. Illinois State won the first encounter on January 22, 2025, with a close score of 85-81, but Indiana State responded with a victory on February 15, 2025, winning 85-76. This latest game, however, saw Illinois State take control early and maintain their lead throughout.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details on player availability, which can often play a crucial role in the outcome of such games. However, both teams fielded their regular lineups, allowing them to compete at full strength.
The betting lines from DraftKings indicated a strong favor for Illinois State, with a spread of -13.5 and a moneyline of -950 for the Redbirds, while Indiana State was at +625. The total points set at 152.5 reflected expectations for a high-scoring affair, consistent with both teams' offensive capabilities.
Conditions in the arena were favorable for basketball, contributing to the overall performance of both teams. Fans witnessed a high-energy game, with Illinois State capitalizing on their home-court advantage.
As the game unfolded, viewers saw key moments that defined the Redbirds' victory. Notable scoring plays included a series of free throws and dunks that kept the momentum in Illinois State's favor. Landon Moore contributed significantly, making crucial free throws that pushed the score to 83-54 before the Sycamores could respond. The Redbirds' ability to execute plays effectively, including a 25-foot three-pointer by Jayan Walker, demonstrated their offensive prowess.
Overall, this matchup illustrated Illinois State's dominance at home and their ability to perform under pressure, while Indiana State will need to reassess their strategies moving forward to improve their away performance.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | ILST -13.5 | 152.5 o -112 / u -108 | Indiana State Sycamores +625 · Illinois State Redbirds -950 |
Leaders
- PointsChase Walker18Illinois State Redbirds
- AssistsBrandon Lieb4Illinois State Redbirds
- ReboundsBrandon Lieb7Illinois State Redbirds
- PointsIan Scott20Indiana State Sycamores
- AssistsXavier Hall4Indiana State Sycamores
- ReboundsCamp Wagner7Indiana State Sycamores
Recent form
Illinois State Redbirds
Last 10: 8-2Streak W182.4 scored · 67.3 allowed per game6-0 at home
- 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
- W79-69vs Charlotte 49ersNov 27
- W94-42vs Coastal Carolina ChanticleersNov 23
- W93-48vs Rockford RegentsNov 21
- W82-80at Long Beach State BeachNov 17
- L67-87at USC TrojansNov 15
Indiana State Sycamores
Last 10: 6-4Streak L174.8 scored · 70.2 allowed per game2-3 away
- 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
- L73-75at Louisiana Tech BulldogsNov 27
- W70-52vs Ball State CardinalsNov 23
- W60-51vs Louisiana Tech BulldogsNov 20
- L62-100at Duke Blue DevilsNov 15
- W64-55at SIU Edwardsville CougarsNov 11
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 | Indiana State Sycamores | Illinois State Redbirds |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 20-46 | 34-65 |
| Field goal % | 43 | 52 |
| Three-pointers | 9-24 | 5-16 |
| Three-point % | 38 | 31 |
| Free throws | 16-27 | 12-15 |
| Free throw % | 59 | 80 |
| Rebounds | 28 | 37 |
| Offensive rebounds | 2 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 26 | 29 |
| Assists | 11 | 16 |
| Steals | 4 | 6 |
| Blocks | 4 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 11 | 4 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 8 | 14 |
| Fast-break points | 11 | 3 |
| Points in the paint | 22 | 42 |
| Fouls | 15 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 32 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 10 | 84 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half33-52Camp Wagner makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half35-52Xavier Hall makes driving layup
- 2nd Half35-53Ty'Reek Coleman makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half36-53Enel St. Bernard makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half36-56Landon Moore makes 26-foot three point jumper (Brandon Lieb assists)
- 2nd Half38-56Xavier Hall makes driving layup
- 2nd Half39-56Xavier Hall makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half40-56Xavier Hall makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-58Ty Pence makes 13-foot jumper
- 2nd Half40-59Landon Moore makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half40-60Landon Moore makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-62Brandon Lieb makes layup
- 2nd Half40-63Ty Pence makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half41-63Derek Vorst makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half41-65Ty Pence makes layup (Ty'Reek Coleman assists)
- 2nd Half43-65Sterling Young makes driving layup
- 2nd Half43-67Chase Walker makes layup
- 2nd Half43-68Chase Walker makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half43-70Ty Pence makes layup (Chase Walker assists)
- 2nd Half43-71Ty Pence makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half45-71Jo Van Buggenhout makes driving layup
- 2nd Half45-73Chase Walker makes layup
- 2nd Half46-73Sterling Young makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half47-73Sterling Young makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half47-76Jack Daugherty makes 26-foot three point jumper (Mason Klabo assists)
- 2nd Half47-78Mason Klabo makes layup
- 2nd Half49-78Ian Scott makes layup
- 2nd Half49-79Boden Skunberg makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-81Mason Klabo makes layup
- 2nd Half52-81Camp Wagner makes 26-foot three point jumper (Xavier Hall assists)
- 2nd Half53-81Ian Scott makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-81Ian Scott makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-82Landon Moore makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-83Landon Moore makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-83Ian Scott makes 3-foot dunk (Xavier Hall assists)
- 2nd Half58-83Bruno Alocen makes driving layup
- 2nd Half59-83Bruno Alocen makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half59-85Landon Wolf makes 3-foot dunk
- 2nd Half62-85Jayan Walker makes 25-foot three point jumper (Cooper Bean assists)
- 2nd Half65-85Caden Huttenlocker makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jayan Walker assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Illinois State Redbirds, below favours Indiana State Sycamores.
Venue
- CEFCU ArenaNormal, IL
- Attendance4481
- OfficialsRick Crawford, John Hampton, Randal Anders
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