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MACOMB, Ill. - Matt Lander matched a career-high with 24 points, one of three Leathernecks in double-figures, but Summit League-leading Oakland pulled away in the second half as Western Illinois dropped an 88-65 decision Thursday night (Feb. 3) at Waste Management Court.  The Leathernecks fell to 7-15 overall and 2-9 in league.

Western used strong interior defense and hot shooting early on to keep it close against the Golden Grizzlies (17-8, 12-0). Down 23-22, Western could not convert on a 1-on-1 fastbreak situation when the ball came out of Mael Amenyedzi's hands on a dunk attempt. Oakland got the loose ball and Travis Bader nailed a 3-pointer for a potential five-point swing.

The Golden Grizzlies led by as many as eight but Western seemed to have an answer to keep the game in check, thanks in part to Jack Houpt hitting three 3-pointers in the half.

Late in the half Western trailed by four, but Reggie Hamilton capped his streak of seven straight points by banking in a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left and the Leathernecks went into the locker room down by seven.

Lander, who hadn't scored more than 15 points in the last four games, netted 16 at the break hitting 7-of-13 field goals. Both teams shot an identical 15-of-30 from the field in the first half, but OU had one more 3-pointer and was 7-of-11 at the free throw line compared to Western's one in three attempts at the line.

Emeka Okafor, Jr. scored on a putback off Kaimarr Price's miss to start the half. The junior forward hit another jumper three minutes later cutting the deficit to 45-39. However, Larry Wright drained a 3-pointer and OU would eventually outscore Western 46-30 over the final 20 minutes to secure its 20th straight Summit League win.

"Give Oakland credit, there's a reason they are 12-0. They are an outstanding team. Coach Kampe does an outstanding job with them. I'm truly disappointed in our performance. I'm a good sport but I'm not a good loser," said head coach Jim Molinari. "I think though we did some things well scoring the first half, but we never made them uncomfortable on the perimeter defensively. We did a good job interior wise defensively, however, the perimeter they did whatever they wanted. That's not Western Illinois Basketball. That will not be who we are and that will not be how we play."

Lander matched his previous high of 24 points set earlier this season at Missouri. Price nearly recorded another double-double, totaling 18 points and nine rebounds.

Okafor set season-highs of 11 points and nine rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench. Houpt finished with nine points. The Leathernecks shot 44 percent for the game but gave up a season-high point total to Oakland, which shot 49 percent for the game.

Hamilton scored a team-high 20 points. Wright hit five 3-pointers, finishing with 17. Keith Benson had 13 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.

Western concludes a four-game homestand on Saturday (Feb. 5) playing host to IPFW. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.