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Illinois State defeats Utah, 73-63

Dec 20, 2009 - 1:42 AM SALT LAKE CITY(AP) -- Osiris Eldridge and Lloyd Phillips each scored 17 points to lead Illinois State over Utah 73-63 on Saturday.

The Redbirds (8-2) led from start to finish. When the Utes cut the margin to 50-45 on Luka Drca's 3-pointer, Eldridge hit a jumper and added a couple of free throws to raise the lead back to 9 and the Utes never got within fewer than 7 points the rest of the way.

Austin Hill scored 12 and Dinma Odiakosa added 10 as the Redbirds returned to their winning ways. Illinois State won its first seven games before losing to Niagara and Ohio.

Kim Tillie led Utah (5-6) with 19 points and Carlon Brown scored 15. Drca had 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Utes, who were playing without forward Jay Watkins, sidelined with an abdominal strain.