DePaul allows late rally, falls to Illinois State

Paris Lee converted a four-point play to spark a 12-3 run in the final minute, pushing Illinois State past DePaul 78-72 on Sunday night.

Billy Garrett Jr.’s layup gave DePaul a 58-49 lead with 8:16 remaining. Illinois State answered with a 17-9 run to pull within 69-66 with 1:15 left before Lee made it 70-69 with 58 seconds to go.

Daishon Knight’s three-point play pushed the Redbirds’ lead to 73-69. Garrett split a pair of free throws to make it 73-70, but Illinois State made five of six from the line to seal it.

Knight scored 25 points. MiKyle McIntosh added 14 points, and Reggie Lynch 13 points and 13 rebounds for Illinois State (5-3).

Jamee Crockett scored 22 points, and Tommy Hamilton IV had 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead DePaul (6-3). Durrell McDonald dished out five assists for the Blue Demons.