St. Louis, MO -- (Sports Network) - Osiris Eldridge scored a game-high 21 points, shooting 4-of-5 behind the three-point line, to lead the Illinois State Redbirds to a 73-49 win against the Creighton Bluejays in the semifinals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament at the Scottrade Center.

Champ Oguchi sank 6-of-8 shots beyond the arc to finish with 18 points for the third-seeded Redbirds (24-8), followed by Emmanuel Holloway with 10 points and six rebounds.

The second-seeded Jays (26-7) were paced by Booker Woodfox with 13 points, but the sharpshooter made just 2-of-8 beyond the arc and 4-of-14 from the floor on the evening. Justin Carter responded with eight points and a game-high 12 boards.

Illinois State scored the first points of the game and never looked back, holding Creighton to a mere seven field goals and 1-of-10 beyond the arc in the frame to claim a 35-18.

The Redbirds ran away with the win in the second half as they knocked down a sizzling 65.2 percent from the floor, en route to the 24-point decision.

Creighton came up with 20 offensive rebounds, but that's only because the squad shot a mere 27.4 percent from the floor on the afternoon.

For the second year in a row the Redbirds will contend for the tournament title, this time against top-seeded Northern Iowa on Sunday. Last season Illinois State was crushed by Drake in the championship game, 79-49.