DALLAS (AP) -Osiris Eldridge and Champ Oguchi scored 16 points each and Illinois State held on to beat Alabama 77-71 on Friday at the SMU Tipoff Classic.
Eldridge's bucket at 14:18 of the second half gave the Redbirds a 54-32 lead before Alabama State battled back to get close. The Hornets went on a 15-2 run over the next five minutes, whittling down the Illinois State lead to 56-47 with 9:06 left.
When Brandon Brooks hit a 3-pointer with 26 seconds left, Illinois State led 73-71.
But Lloyd Phillips and Dinma Odiakosa each sunk a pair of free throws in the final seconds to seal the win for Illinois State (2-0). Phillips finished with 15 points and Odiakosa had 13.
Brandon Brooks led Alabama State (1-2) with a game-high 21 points, while Chief Kickingstallionsims added 11 points and Andrew Hayles scored 10.
