MACOMB, Ill. - Having played just two games over the past three weeks, Western Illinois closes out the 2010 men's basketball schedule Thursday night (Dec. 30) at Summit League foe IUPUI. The Leathernecks tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. central.

The game can be heard on the Leatherneck Sports Network and on the internet at www.GoLeathernecks.com. The pregame show will air 30 minutes prior to tip. Western (5-6 overall, 1-1 Summit) is looking to end a two-game losing streak, both non-conference games (at Eastern Illinois, at Creighton).

Following the road game at IUPUI (7-8, 1-1), Western returns home for a brief non-conference appearance versus Purdue-Calumet on Saturday night (Jan. 1). Western is looking to start turning around the all-time series having lost 23 of the last 24 meetings against the Jaguars.

This game also pits the top two scoring defense teams in the Summit League, Western in first allowing 59.2 ppg while IUPUI is next at 65.5 ppg. The Leathernecks also lead the Summit League in FG defense (40.5) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (26.3).

Western also ranks second in rebounding defense (32.5) and third in 3-point shooting (38.8). Individually Matt Lander (Evansville, Ind.) ranks third in scoring (17.6 ppg) and ninth in 3-point shooting (45.5 percent). He looks to extend his streak of scoring in double-figures every game this season.

Kaimarr Price (Phoenix, Ariz.) is just out of the 'Top 10', currently 11th averaging 6.0 rebounds per game. He is tied for ninth shooting 50 percent from the field and tied for sixth blocking a shot a game. Price, scoring 8.3 points per game, also ranks sixth in the Summit grabbing 2.7 offensive rebounds.

Junior Tommie Tyler (Houston, Texas) played all 40 minutes the last time out (at Creighton). Tyler joins Lander - in consecutive games - having gone the entire game. He's averaging 6.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Jack Houpt (Chesterton, Ind.) leads the team hitting 17 3-point field goals, now averaging 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

IUPUI is coming off a 76-63 win at Florida Gulf Coast on Monday night. Alex Young scored a game-high 23 points. Leroy Nobles added 17 points while Stephen Thomas and John Ashworth scored 13 points apiece. IUPUI shot 54 percent from the field, including a 9-of-21 effort from 3-point range.