DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In an exciting conclusion to the College Basketball Invitational, Caden Boser led Illinois State to victory with a standout performance, netting a season-high 20 points. Chase Walker earned the honor of tournament MVP as Illinois State triumphed over Cleveland State 79-68 on Wednesday night, securing the championship title.
The Redbirds wrapped up their season with an impressive record of 22-14, marking their first 20-win season since the 2016-17 campaign. Boser delivered a flawless shooting display, hitting all seven of his attempts, including four successful three-pointers. Supporting the effort, Johnny Kinziger and Chase Walker each contributed 13 points, while Dalton Banks and Ty Pence both added 11 points to the scoreboard.
On the opposing side, Tevin Smith led Cleveland State with 16 points, as the Vikings concluded their season with a 23-13 record. Other notable contributors for Cleveland State included Chase Robinson and Je’Shawn Stevenson, each scoring 11 points.
This competitive match saw Illinois State demonstrating teamwork and skill to capture the championship honors at the College Basketball Invitational, ending their season on a high note.