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Garret Covington FP
WIU Visual Productions Center
Senior Guard Garret Covington
55
Western Illinois WIU 0-1
82
Winner Kansas State KS 1-0
Western Illinois WIU
0-1
55
Final
82
Kansas State KS
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Illinois WIU 21 34 55
Kansas State KS 35 47 82

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

Leathernecks Fall at Kansas State to Open Season

A late Kansas State run pushed the Wildcats to victory Friday

COACH WRIGHT POSTGAME RADIO INTERVIEW
 
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Western Illinois men's basketball opened its 2016-17 campaign with an 82-55, hard-fought loss at Kansas State Friday evening (Nov. 11).
 
The Leathernecks cut their deficit to eight points midway through the second half, but the Wildcats closed the final eight minutes of play on a 25-6 run on their way to the victory.
 
"To our kids' credit they never quit, constantly fighting and doing the best they can to try and get us a win," said head coach Billy Wright. "I thought Garret (Covington) and Jabari (Sandifer) did a really good job leading this team. That was one thing I challenged them to do before the game. To lead, to communicate, and to make sure everyone on the floor knew what was going on."
 
Garret Covington led Western with 17 points. He knocked down three 3-pointers and went 4-of-5 from the free throw line, while also grabbing three rebounds and passing out two assists.
 
The only other Leatherneck to score in double figures was Dalan Ancrum who finished with 12 points including two triples. He also grabbed three rebounds.
 
Jabari Sandifer finished with nine points and six rebounds, Brandon Gilbeck pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and two blocks.
 
WIU and K-State scratched their way to a 9-9 tie midway through the first before the Wildcats gradually built a 14-point lead heading into halftime, 35-21.
 
After Kansas State opened the second by building its lead up to 17 points, WIU used a 13-4 run to climb back within eight points. The run was highlighted by 3-pointers from Sandifer, Ancrum and Delo Bruster, and back-to-back jumpers from newcomer Chris Snyder.
 
That would be as close as the Leathernecks would get before Kansas State pulled away for the win.
 
Snyder finished with four points on 2-of-3 shooting in 12 minutes of action in his WIU debut. Freshman C.J. Duff also played his first career game and added five points and an assist.

Kansas State was led by Barry Brown who finished with 18 points, while Wesley Iwundu and Xavier Sneed each added 17.
 
Western opens its home schedule on Sunday (Nov. 13) when Oak Hills Christian visits Macomb. Tipoff for the nonconference tilt is slated for 5 p.m.
   
 
 
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