INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Western Illinois closed out the 2010 finale dropping a 70-55 Summit League decision at IUPUI Thursday night (Dec. 30). The Leathernecks dropped their third straight, falling to 5-7 overall and 1-2 in the League.

Down to eight healthy players, Western was playing in just its second game since the start of Finals Week (December 13th).

Both teams traded baskets early, Kaimarr Price's jumper tying the game at 6-apiece four minutes in. Then Alex Young started taking over offensively for the Jaguars. He hit the free throw to finish off a three-point play, starting a 14-2 run over the next five minutes in which he accounted for half of the points.

Matt Lander hit two free throws, Tommie Tyler scored a lay-in and Jelani Johnson hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to seven. However, Young hit another jumper in the lane and when he converted another three-point play with 39 seconds in the half that extended the Jaguars' lead to 15. Young scored 14 of his points in the opening half.

Lander hit a runner in the lane with 11 seconds left, but John Ashworth drained a deep '3' at the buzzer to put IUPUI up by its largest margin of the half, 41-25.

The Jaguars shot a blistering 57 percent from the field in the first half (16-of-28) compared to Western's 36 percent.

IUPUI went on an 8-0 run to start the second half before Tyler's basket ended the streak. At the 14 minute mark, Price picked up his fourth foul and Western trailed by 22 but began to chip away at the lead - most of the time with Lander on the bench.

Price drove the right lane for a one-handed dunk, then Tyler followed with a two-handed stuff on a putback. Brandon Smith hit a jumper, Johnson hit another 3-pointer and Tyler slammed home another basket to make it 54-41. The Leathernecks made it an 11-point game following Price's jumper.

Christian Siakam had two consecutive putback baskets to push IUPUI's lead back to 15 with just over six minutes remaining. Leroy Nobles hit a 3-pointer and Young followed with two straight field goals to put the game out of reach. Lander hit a pair of 3-pointers for Western's final margin.

Lander matched a career-high with three 3-point field goals, part of his 16-point effort. Tyler finished with 11 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in 38 minutes. Price chipped in 10 points and dished out a season-high four assists. Smith scored all eight of his points during a seven minute stretch of the second half.

Western blistered the nets in the second half for 57 percent shooting, including 5-of-8 from 3-point range over the final 20 minutes, to finish 45.7% overall from the field.

Young led all scorers with 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds but committed five turnovers. Stephen Thomas added 16 points and Noble added 15. The Jags shot 50 percent from the field for the game and out-rebounded Western 38-23, including a plus-9 edge on the offensive glass.

The Leathernecks return to Waste Management Court at Western Hall on Saturday night (Jan. 1) for a non-conference tilt against Purdue Calumet. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.