QUINCY, Ill. – A strong first half was not enough as the Quincy University men's basketball team fell to Division I opponent Illinois State Wednesday night (Nov. 22).  The Redbirds defeated the Hawks by a score of 86-57 in their exhibition contest.

The Redbirds hot shooting gave them an early lead but the Hawks stayed composed and remained within striking distance.

The Hawks were led by Demetrius Houston in the first half as Houston scored nine points on 3-8 shooting in the half.  Tanner Stuckman also added eight points in the first half to go along with six rebounds. 

Despite a 16-point lead with just over six minutes remaining in the first half the Hawks defense held firm against the Redbirds offense. 

The Hawks held the Redbirds without a field goal over the last four minutes and twenty-six seconds to end the first half. 

The Redbirds held a 43-35 lead at the end of the first 20 minutes of action. 

Illinois State started the second half on a 8-0 run before a Bobby Frasco three-pointer got the Hawks back on track.  

The Redbird responded by hitting a pair of three-point field goals to grab a 60-38 lead with 14:49 remaining in the second half. 

The Redbirds found the rhythm from the field in the second half outscoring the Hawks 29-11 thirteen minutes into the second half. 

The Hawks couldn't find the mark in the second half and were outscored 43-22 in the final 20 minutes of play.  

Illinois State knocked down 14 three-pointers in the win and shot 58 percent from the field in the second half. 

Demetrius Houston and Tanner Stuckman both scored in double figures.  Houston finished with 11 and Stuckman with 10 points and seven rebounds. 

Phil Fayne led all scorers with 19 points on 8-12 shooting. 

The Hawks return home Friday (Nov. 24) to take on Illinois College at Pepsi Arena.