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Indiana State University Athletics

Team huddle vs Illinois Tech
73
Illinois Tech IIT 0-0,0-0 NACC
104
Winner Indiana St. INS 1-1,0-0 MVC
Illinois Tech IIT
0-0,0-0 NACC
73
Final
104
Indiana St. INS
1-1,0-0 MVC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Illinois Tech IIT 43 30 73
Indiana St. INS 59 45 104

Game Recap: Basketball | | Nick Rush | GoSycamores.com

Indiana State picks up first win of season against Illinois Tech

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State men's basketball made its 2025-26 home debut one to remember for acting head coach Mark Slessinger, as the Sycamores rolled to a 104-73 victory over Illinois Tech on Thursday night inside the Hulman Center.

Sterling Young led the way with a 20-point performance as 11 different Sycamores (1-1) scored in the win. Enel St. Bernard (17), Ian Scott (13), Derek Vorst (12), and Markus Harding (11) all finished in double figures for Indiana State.

The Scarlet Hawks opened the game with the first two points before the Sycamores responded with a 7-0 run capped by a Sterling Young jumper to take an early lead. Illinois Tech briefly regained momentum to go up 14-12 at the 14:37 mark, but Indiana State answered with a 16-2 run over the next four minutes, fueled by baskets from Vorst, Zyair Greene, and Young, to reclaim control.
Indiana State carried that momentum into halftime, closing the first period on a 9-0 run highlighted by three-straight free throws from Bruno Alocen to take a 59-43 lead into the locker room. Harding and Vorst paced the Sycamores early with nine points apiece.

Illinois Tech's Owen Walsh opened the second half with a bucket, but the Sycamores quickly extended their advantage behind a 13-0 run over 3:28, pushing the lead to 30 points following a Cooper Bean three-pointer with 9:02 to play.

The Scarlet Hawks tried to cut into the deficit with a 7-1 run late in the half, but St. Bernard's second-chance dunk with 5:20 remaining reignited the Sycamore offense. Indiana State never looked back, closing the night with a dominant 31-point victory.

Young finished 6-for-11 from the floor and 5-for-6 from the line to reach a season-high 20 points. St. Bernard recorded his first double-double of the season with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Xavier Hall tallied five assists and crossed the 1,000-point mark for his career. Young and Jayan Walker led the team defensively with three steals apiece as the Sycamores took 9 steals.
Indiana State shot 55% from inside the arc and 70.6% from the free throw line, dominating the paint on both ends.

News and Notes
  • The Sycamores outscored the Scarlet Hawks 60-30 in the paint, their most since Nov. 7, 2024.
  • Indiana State scored 26 points off turnovers, tying its most since Dec. 9, 2023.
  • Indiana State scored 23 second-chance points and held Illinois Tech to zero, allowing just four offensive rebounds.
  • Indiana State's 52 bench points were its most since Dec. 21, 2024.
  • The Sycamores recorded 50 rebounds for the first time since Nov. 7, 2024.
  • Illinois Tech's 21 rebounds marked the fewest by an opponent since Drake (21 on Feb. 14, 2015).
  • Five Sycamores reached double figures for the first time since Feb. 15, 2025.
  • Enel St. Bernard tied his career-high for points with 17.
    • He remains perfect on the season, going 9-for-9 through the first two games.
    • Recorded his first double-double of the season.
  • Sterling Young tied his career-high 3 steals.
    • Season-high 20 points.
    • Season highs in field goals (6), three-pointers (3), free throws (5), and rebounds (2).
  • Xavier Hall crossed the 1,000-point career mark, scoring 8 points in the game.
    • Tied his season-high 9 assists and went 3-for-3 from the field.
  • Derek Vorst recorded a season-high 7 rebounds.
  • Markus Harding posted a career-high 5 free throws made.
  • Cooper Bean tied his career high with 5 points and logged the most minutes of his career.
  • Jayan Walker set new career highs with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 field goals made.
  • Ian Scott is shooting 14-for-17 on the season.
  • Caden Huttenlocker made his Sycamore debut, logging 3:14 of action.

Postgame Press Conference Presented by Team Green Law


Up Next
Indiana State hits the road to take on SIUE on Monday, November 10, in Edwardsville, Ill. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, with doors opening at 6 p.m.
 
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