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.”

Clay Horning

366-3526

cfhorning@normantranscript.com