Boise State's Comeback Bid Falls Short

Wednesday, November 21

George Town, Cayman Islands

11:30 am MT

Boise State

2-3

Illinois State

4-2

Illinois St.

Boise State

11/21/2018 3:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Box Score | Postgame Notes

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) -- Milik Yarbrough had 28 points, eight rebounds and six assists to lead Illinois State over short-handed Boise State 73-70 on Wednesday for fifth place in the Cayman Islands Classic.

The Broncos were without leading scorer RJ Williams, 17.5 points per game, who had 27 points in the tournament opener.

Yarbrough gave Illinois State a 69-60 lead with 3:59 remaining, but the Redbirds didn't make another field goal the rest of the game. He made just enough free throws (4 of 7) down the stretch to hold off the Broncos, the last coming with 4.1 seconds left for a three-point lead.

After grabbing the rebound and advancing the ball to half court for a timeout, the Broncos had a chance with 1.9 seconds to play to tie the game. Justinian Jessup was able to get off a potential game-tying half-court heave, but the shot came up just short.

Josh Jefferson added 12 points and Phil Fayne 10 for Illinois State (4-2). The Redbirds used a 12-0 run in the first half to take a 35-30 lead, and they started the second half on a 16-7 spurt for a 52-42 advantage.

Pat Dembley led Boise State (2-3) with 17 points. Justinian Jessup had 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Derrick Alston added 11 points and seven boards.

The rest of Boise State's bench was solid, as well, with Malek Harwell scoring a career-high seven points while playing a career-high 21 minutes. David Wacker also played well, scoring four points and grabbing four rebounds.

The Broncos will play its first true road game of the season as a part of the 2018 Missouri Valley / Mountain West Challenge and take on Drake in Des Moines, Iowa. The game will take place, Tuesday, Nov. 27 and tip at 6 p.m. MT.