Jackie Carmichael scored a game-high 27 points leading the Illinois State Redbirds to a 100-72 defeat of the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos for new head coach Dan Muller's first win with the team.
Carmichael was 13-of-20 from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win for the Redbirds (1-0). Tyler Brown was 4-of-7 from three-point range, contributing 22 points, while Jon Ekey added 11 and Bryant Allen tacked on 10 points.
UCSB (0-2) was led by Taran Brown who scored 22 points and handed out six assists, while Alan Williams recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds to go along with four blocked shots and three steals. T.J. Taylor added 10 points off the bench.
The Redbirds were up 49-29 at intermission after shooting 63.3 percent from the field.
In the second half Illinois State shot 61.1 percent from the floor and was 6- of-10 from long range as it cruised to the 28-point victory.
Illinois State, which started the game on a 27-6 run, scored 25 points off 12 turnovers by UCSB.
Game Notes
