GAME NOTES: The Illinois State Redbirds return home to Redbird Arena on Saturday afternoon to take on the Youngstown State Penguins in non-conference action.

YSU participated in the EMU Tournament last weekend and won two of three games, losing to hosts Eastern Michigan (71-62) and defeating Longwood (82-72) and UNC Greensboro (76-67). The Penguins followed up that trip with a 66-63 home win over UMKC on Wednesday to surge to 4-3.

Illinois State (2-2) took part in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam earlier in the week and advanced to the title game with wins over Weber State (73-64) and Old Dominion (64-45) before falling just shy of championship glory with an 84-80 loss to Seton Hall.

This marks the first-ever meeting between the programs.

The Penguins endured a back-and-forth battle with UMKC from the opening tip earlier in the week, and with the game tied with only five seconds remaining, Marcus Keene drained the game-winning 3-pointer to keep their winning streak alive. They outshot UMKC from the field on the evening, 45.3 percent to 35 percent, which helped mask a game-high 17 turnovers. Keene was the catalyst with 21 points on 4-of-8 from 3-point range. Shawn Amiker added a double- double to the winning effort with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

On the season, YSU puts up similar production as its opponents, as it scores 68.7 ppg on 42 percent from the field while allowing 67.1 ppg at 42 percent shooting as well. Keene leads the way with 16.4 ppg and has been accurate from beyond the arc (.404) and the foul line (.909). Bobby Hain (14.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg) and Amiker (13.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg) make up a solid forward duo.

The Redbirds trailed Seton Hall by 14 in the second half of the Paradise Jam title game, and while they only ended up losing by four, that was the closest they got to the lead in the entire half. They shot just 42.2 percent from the field, and even though their showing from 3-point range was outstanding (10- of-18), Seton Hall's was even better (12-of-18). Bobby Hunter provided a spark off the bench with 23 points on 4-of-7 from long range. Daishon Knight tallied 15 points and six assists, while DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell added 14 points and four steals.

On the season, Illinois State is a well-rounded team, boasting positive margins in terms of scoring (+4.8), rebounding (+5.0) and turnovers (+4.5), although their field goal percentage has been far from impressive (.420). Akoon-Purcell is both the team's leading scorer (15.3 ppg) and rebounder (6.3 rpg) and he shoots just shy of 46 percent from the field. Daishon Knight brings 14.5 ppg to the table and Hunter rounds out the double-digit scorers with 10.5 ppg.

Although Illinois State's momentum was halted in the Paradise Jam title game, it is still carrying plenty of confidence after a strong showing in the event and should make a promising return home in this one.