Illinois State eases past Evansville 77-51

NORMAL, Ill. (AP) Reggie Lynch tied a career-high with 16 points and blocked five shots to help Illinois State beat Evansville 77-51 on Tuesday night.

MiKyle McIntosh had 13 points, Deontae Hawkins 12 and Paris Lee added 11 with seven assists for Illinois State (15-8, 7-4 Missouri Valley Conference).

Lynch scored six early points as Illinois State jumped out to a 12-2 lead and closed the half on a 22-9 run for a 43-24 lead. Lynch and Daishon Knight had nine points apiece in the first 20 minutes. The Redbirds would lead by as many as 36 in the second half.

D.J. Balentine scored 12 for Evansville (16-7, 6-5) on 4-of-12 shooting. The Purple Aces made just 18 of 55 field goals (32.7 percent), including 0 of 10 from 3-point range.

Illinois State moved three games over .500 in conference play for the first time since the 2009-10 season.