Illinois State Claims First Postseason Title, Tops Cleveland State 79-68

The Illinois State Redbirds concluded their basketball season on a high note by winning the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) title, defeating Cleveland State 79-68. Caden Boser had a standout performance, scoring a career-high 20 points and finishing the game with a perfect shooting record. Chase Walker contributed significantly as well, adding 13 points and being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after averaging 20 points per game throughout the CBI. This victory marks the Redbirds' first postseason championship since 2016-17, capping a successful season with a 22-14 record. Coach Ryan Pedon highlighted the program's potential for future growth following this successful campaign. The championship win serves as a strong send-off for the team's seniors.