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Western Illinois University Athletics

Jabari Sandifer FP
WIU Visual Productions Center
Sophomore guard Jabari Sandifer
64
Western Illinois WIU 8-19, 3-13 SL
84
Winner IPFW IPFW 16-13, 9-7 SL
Western Illinois WIU
8-19, 3-13 SL
64
Final
84
IPFW IPFW
16-13, 9-7 SL
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Illinois WIU 33 31 64
IPFW IPFW 41 43 84

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | WIU Athletic Communications

Men's Basketball Unable to Overcome Turnovers in Loss at Fort Wayne

Western Illinois men's basketball will play top-seed South Dakota State in the quarterfinals of The Summit League Tournament Saturday (March 7) at 6 p.m. in Sioux Falls, S.D.

COACH WRIGHT POSTGAME INTERVIEW

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Western Illinois men's basketball was unable to overcome its 16 turnovers in an 84-64 regular season-finale loss at Fort Wayne Saturday evening (Feb. 28).

The Fighting Leathernecks trailed by as much as 11 points early in the contest before making it a one-point game late in the first half. Fort Wayne, however, used a 6-0 run to conclude the first 20 minutes of action and took an eight-point lead into the half, 41-33.

Western was able to hang around for the first eight minutes of the second half before IPFW used a 16-3 run to create separation from the Leathernecks, 71-48, with just under seven minutes to play. WIU wasn't able to get back within striking distance as the Mastodons came out on top and improved to 16-13 overall on the season and 9-7 in league play after the win.

The Leathernecks, who dropped to 8-19 overall and 3-13 in league action after the loss, were led by sophomore guard Garret Covington and junior guard J.C. Fuller who finished with 18 and 16 points, respectively. Both players also contributed six rebounds and two assists each.

Junior guard Jalen Chapman, who led Western in rebounds with eight, was the only other Leatherneck to score in double figures as he finished with 10 points.

Leading the team in steals with three was sophomore guard Jabari Sandifer. Sandifer also had five points, two rebounds and an assist.

Western had one of its best performances from the free throw line of the season, knocking down 15-of-16 attempts (93.8 percent). Fort Wayne made only 47.6 percent (10-of-21) of its attempts from the charity stripe.

The Mastodons, however, bettered the Leathernecks from the field (55.4 percent – 39.2) and the three-point line (50.0 percent – 37.5).

WIU outrebounded IPFW, 33-31, but the Mastodons only turned the ball over eight times compared to the Leathernecks' 16 mishaps; and Fort Wayne was able to capitalize by scoring 24 points off of those Western Illinois turnovers.

Fort Wayne had five players score in double figures led by Joe Edwards who finished with 23 points.

The Leathernecks will play top-seed South Dakota State in the quarterfinals of The Summit League Tournament next Saturday (March 7) at 6 p.m. in Sioux Falls, S.D. to open postseason action. For the league's release on The Summit League tournament with a bracket, click HERE.
 
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