Illinois State hung early and came back late, yet still was forced into a game unlike it’s played most of the season. Ranked No. 3 of 326 Division I programs with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.32 to 1, the Redbirds committed 18 turnovers and dished 13 assists.

“They are a hard-nosed, tough, efficient offensive team,” Coale said. “We forced them into 18 turnovers — that’s very uncharacteristic of this basketball team … They can all score. They’re very smart. They’re very well coached.”

Illinois State sounded happy just to have given OU such a hard time.

“When we fell behind by 17, we could have given up, but we didn’t,” Redbird coach Robin Pingeton said. “We were warriors and we battled back.”