TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Indiana State put together one of its best defensive performances of the season as the Sycamores defeated Illinois State 60-57 Saturday at Hulman Center, holding the Redbirds scoreless over the last four minutes.
 
Cooper Neese once again led the Sycamores on the floor with a game high 28 points -- his second consecutive 25-plus scoring game. Neese shot 8-for-22 from the floor, 2-for-8 from deep and connected on 10-of-11 at the charity stripe. Xavier Bledson was the only of the Sycamores to score in double-digits, finishing with 11 points to go with five rebounds and three assists.
 
Indiana State (11-14, 4-9 MVC) came out in a slump to start the game, falling behind 13-5 early as the Redbirds were able to score at will. Bledson and Neese helped the Sycamores begin to rally as ISU scored the next six points to pull within two points midway through the opening half.
 
ISU defensive stopper Julian Larry battled foul trouble throughout the game and picked up a third foul in the first half forcing the guard to the bench. Illinois State (11-15, 4-9 MVC) used that to their advantage to build out their largest lead of the game at 16 points with four minutes to play in the half. ISU would chip away and cut the lead to 12 at the break, going into the locker room down 36-24.
 
The second half was a much different story for the home squad as more than doubled its first half shooting percentage hitting 12-of-25 (48%) from the field. The Sycamores would use a 13-2 run to pull within two points of the Redbirds at 44-42.
 
Bledson tied the game at the 9:14 mark in the second half and it would become a back-and-forth game until the end. Trailing 54-49 with just over five minutes remaining, ISU would lock in defensively, holding the Redbirds to just one made field goal the remainder of the game.
 
A Cloverdale, Indiana native, Neese gave ISU its first lead with 1:49 left to play in what was at the time a 9-0 run. Cameron Henry was strong down the stretch, recording a block on ILS's Antonio Reeves with 34 seconds left before picking up two strong offensive rebounds to force free throws. Henry made it a three-point game with two free throws before stealing the Illinois State inbound play to cap off the comeback.
 
The Sycamores held Illinois State to 27.9 percent (8-29) from the floor in the second half, including 3-for-11 from distance. Indiana State was strong going to the rim, drawing 22 fouls on the Redbirds and shooting 21-for-26 from the free throw line.
 
UP NEXT
Indiana State returns to the road on Tuesday with a matchup with Missouri State in Springfield. Tip with the Bears is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET from JQH Arena.
 
FOLLOW THE SYCAMORES
For the latest information on Sycamore Basketball, be sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from both the App Store and the Google Play Store.