Final Four for Illinois State

NIT Semifinals

(Chicago, IL) – It’s a final four for Illinois State. The Redbirds won their second straight road game in the National Invitation Tournament and are headed to Indianapolis for the NIT semifinals.

After winning the College Basketball Invitational last year, Illinois State defeated Dayton 61-55, improved to 23-12 and have reached the final four of a postseason tournament for the second straight season.

After hitting a game-winning three to win the previous game at Wake Forest, Johnny Kinziger drilled two early triples to spark the Redbirds to a 13-0 start to the game in Dayton. Eventually the Birds ran their first half lead to 17 points, but the first half ended with ten-point, ILS advantage.

Pence says getting Kinziger going early is a big boost for the Birds.

The first 7:30 of the second half belonged to Ryan Pedon’s team as they extended the margin to 19 points (49-30), but the Flyers applied full court pressure and cut the margin to five points, but critical free throws by Kinziger and Chase Walker put the game away. The Redbirds held Dayton (25-12) to its season low scoring output.

While defense was the key to the victory, Pence says the team had to find some poise against the chaos created by the Dayton pressure defense.

Walker finished with a 13-point, ten-rebound double-double and surpassed 1,000 points for his career. Kinziger netted 16 points and Ty Pence added twelve. 

Final Four in Indianapolis

Pence, Kinziger and Walker have been long term roommates and their bond goes beyond the court.

Pedon’s squad has over a week off before the NIT Final Four on Thursday, April 2. Every college basketball championship will be played in Indianapolis. The NIT semifinals will be played at Hinkle Field House. Sunday’s (April 5) championship game will be played at Gainbridge Arena. Illinois State faces Auburn. Tulsa meets New Mexico in the other semifinal. 

While the NCAA (Division 1) Final Four will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Division 2 and Division 3 championships will join the NIT at Gainbridge.

Illinois State has improved its record and win total every season of Ryan Pedon’s coaching tenure and now they’re headed to the NIT Final Four.

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