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MACOMB, Ill. - Kaimarr Price scored a career-high 20 points, one of three Leathernecks in double-figures, but Western Illinois dropped a 66-58 non-conference decision to North Carolina Central on Wednesday night (Jan. 26) at Western Hall. The Leathernecks fell to 7-13 overall.

Price started the scoring with four straight then Jelani Johnson drained a 3-pointer to put Western ahead 7-3. The Eagles (9-9) went on a 13-0 run over the next six-plus minutes to take the lead for good.

The deficit grew to as many as 12 before Western scored seven of the final nine points to close out the half. Jack Houpt drained a 3-pointer then Matt Lander made all four free throw attempts to trail 29-22 heading into the locker room.

NCCU made 5-of-10 from long distance and shot 42 percent overall from the field in the first half as C.J. Wilkerson accounted for 16 of the team's 29 points. Meanwhile Western shot just 27 percent. Houpt scored eight points off the bench and Lander was 6-of-6 at the free throw line.

Landon Clement wasted no time sinking consecutive 3-pointers to start the half. Western head coach Jim Molinari quickly called a timeout but knew his team would battle back.

"We recruit character, and character digs deep. I think it says a lot about our players."

Out of a timeout Brandon Smith responded with back-to-back 3-pointers of his own. That started a 15-5 run in just three minutes. Smith accounted for eight of the team's 15 points, Price scored five and Johnson added a lay-in.

Houpt missed a 3-pointer to tie the game, and then Wilkerson scored on a fastbreak layup pushing their lead back to five. Price hit a 15-footer to make it 42-39. Wilkerson missed a jumper, but Tramar Beaman kept the possession alive with the offensive rebound. Nick Chasten hit a '3' and Western could not get it to a one-possession game the rest of the way.

According to Molinari, "We could not defend the three-point shot. That was the story of the game. I appreciate our kids, they don't quit. It's not their fault we don't have any depth or subs. They keep battling and I appreciate that. All our guys gave good effort tonight."

Price ended a streak of eight straight games under 50 percent shooting from the field, hitting 7-of-11 field goals and a career-high six free throws in eight attempts. He added seven rebounds and two assists in 39 minutes.

"Kaimarr Price had an outstanding game, we got the ball inside to him. He's a good passer and a good finisher," said Molinari.

Smith scored all 13 of his career-high points in the second half. He dished out a career-high four assists (had only five in his career) with one turnover in 39 minutes. Lander hit a pair of late 3s to give him 12 points. Johnson matched his career-high with eight rebounds, leading all players.

Western ended up shooting 39.6 percent from the field, including eight 3-pointers. NCCU finished 46.8 from the field and was 10-of-19 from beyond the arc.

Wilkerson, who was averaging 31 points over the last three games, ended with 25. Clement added 21 points and six rebounds.

The Leathernecks continue a season-long four-game homestand on Saturday night (Jan. 29), returning to Summit League action. Western kicks off the second half of conference play facing IUPUI. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.