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Western Illinois University Athletics

Jabari Sandifer FP
WIU Visual Productions Center
Jabari Sandifer
74
Winner Southeast Missouri SEMO 2-1
71
Western Illinois WIU 1-2
Winner
Southeast Missouri SEMO
2-1
74
Final
71
Western Illinois WIU
1-2
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Southeast Missouri SEMO 29 45 74
Western Illinois WIU 34 37 71

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

Leatherneck Men’s Hoops Falls 74-71 at Home to SEMO

Covington and Sandifer each tallied 19 points to lead WIU

COACH WRIGHT POSTGAME RADIO INTERVIEW

MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois led for nearly all of the game but a pair of late Southeast Missouri runs helped the Redhawks capture a 74-71 victory inside Western Hall. SEMO improves to 2-1 on the season after the win, while the Leathernecks drop to 1-2.
 
"Obviously just disappointed with the outcome," said head coach Billy Wright. "I thought we did some good things, played well at times just didn't play well enough to win. Give SEMO credit, I thought they made the plays down the stretch to pull out the win, they made their free throws, they got offensive rebounds, and they forced us into some uncharacteristic turnovers. Collectively we just have to be better, regroup and get ready for the next one."
 
After a back-and-forth first 14 minutes of the game, a stretch where neither team led by more than five, WIU rattled off 11 consecutive points and grabbed its largest lead of the first, 32-22, with just over a minute to play until halftime. The Leathernecks run was highlighted by five points from Garret Covington, a pair of free throws from Jabari Sandifer, and baskets courtesy of Lynrick Moxey and James Claar.
 
The Redhawks used the remainder of the first and the opening portion of the second half to begin chipping away at WIU lead. The Leathernecks were able to bounce back, however, and built their lead back up to 12 points , their largest lead of the game, with 12:51 to play in the game. A 6-0 SEMO run shortly after would cut the Redhawks' deficit to two points, 57-55, with just under eight minutes to play.
 
Six minutes later, the Redhawks put together a 7-0 run that gave them their largest lead of the game, 71-67, with 1:25 to go in regulation.
 
Western was able to trim its deficit back to two points twice, but that would be as close as they would get.
 
Covington and Sandifer, both seniors, each finished with 19 points. Covington made 6-of-13 attempts from the field and 5-of-10 from long range, but was uncharacteristic from the free throw line, making 2-of-5 attempts. He also grabbed seven rebounds and two assists. Sandifer shot 5-of-10 from the floor, added one triple and went 8-of-11 from the charity stripe. He also pulled down five boards and finished with a team-best three helpers.
 
Dalan Ancrum was the only other Leatherneck to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points while also leading the team with nine rebounds. The Round Rock, Texas native has scored 10 or more points in each of the first three games.
 
As a team, WIU was out-rebounded 37-30, and SEMO grabbed nine offensive rebounds, which led to 12 points. Western finished with four, second chance points.
 
Both team shot similar from the field (WIU: 45.5% - SEMO: 44.6%) and the 3-point line (WIU: 38.9% - SEMO: 40%), but SEMO shot significantly better from the free throw line (74.1% - 63.6%).
 
Antonius Cleveland led four Redhawks who scored in double figures with 20 points. He also grabbed six rebounds.
 
Western hits the road for a nonconference tilt with Eastern Illinois Saturday (Nov. 19). The Leathernecks and Panthers are slated to tipoff at 6:30 p.m. and the game is scheduled to stream live on the OVC Digital Network.
 
 
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