NORMAL, Ill. (AP)—Osiris Eldridge scored 24 points to lead Illinois State past North Florida 71-55 on Saturday.
Eldridge made 10-of-16 shots, including four 3-pointers, and Dinma Odiakosa added 12 points for the Redbirds (2-0).
Stan Januska led the Ospreys (1-2) with 13 points.
Illinois State shot 59.2 percent, turned 14 turnovers into 16 points and limited North Florida to 31.8 percent shooting.
Illinois State closed the first half with a 26-5 run and took a 42-17 lead at the break.
The Redbirds opened the game with an 11-2 run before North Florida worked its way back to within 16-12. Illinois State then got baskets from five different players, including 3-pointers from Lloyd Phillips and Justin Clark, and scored the game’s next 12 points.
Updated Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
