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Western Illinois University Athletics

Dalan Ancrum FP
WIU Visual Productions Center
Dalan Ancrum
74
South Dakota State SDSU 8-10, 1-2
82
Winner Western Illinois WIU 5-9, 2-1
South Dakota State SDSU
8-10, 1-2
74
Final
82
Western Illinois WIU
5-9, 2-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
South Dakota State SDSU 39 35 74
Western Illinois WIU 33 49 82

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

Leathernecks Top Jackrabbits in Men’s Basketball Wednesday

Western Illinois’ victory over South Dakota State was its first since the 2008-09 season.

PHOTOS

MACOMB, Ill. – The Leathernecks used a big run in the second half to regain the lead on their way to beating the South Dakota State Jackrabbits inside Western Hall 82-74 Wednesday evening (Jan. 4).  Western Illinois' victory over South Dakota State was its first since the 2008-09 season.
 
Western improves to 2-1 in Summit League play after the victory and 5-9 overall, while SDSU falls to 8-10 overall and 1-2 in league action.
 
"We just focus on the process," said head coach Billy Wright following Western's win. "It's not who you play, it's how you play. Hats off to our kids who kept fighting and fighting. I think, in the second half, we had a balanced attack. We really reemphasized an inside-out approach even though we were getting great looks in the first half. Those are wide-open threes, and we wanted to take them, with the right guys getting the right shots. It just didn't go down in the first half. Then we had a more concentrated effort on getting into the paint, and give our kids credit, they executed the game plan at both ends of the floor."
 
WIU trailed by seven points with less than nine minutes remaining in the game but used a 21-5 run to turn its deficit into a nine-point advantage, 72-63, with under three minutes to go. 15 of the Leathernecks' points during the run came via five 3-pointers.
 
Western then absorbed a small SDSU run and made clutch free throws down the stretch, going 8-of-8 during the final minute, to seal its victory.
 
In the win WIU connected on 16 3-pointers, the second most in program history. Earlier in the season Western made 18 triples at Fort Wayne to set the program's new program record.
 
WIU took great care of the basketball, only turning it over five times while recording 22 assists on 26 makes.
 
"That's a beautiful thing to see, when you have 22 assists to only five turnovers," continued Wright. "We pride ourselves on taking care of the ball, moving the ball and getting a good shot each and every time down the floor on offense. And defensively, we've got to tighten up on some things, but I couldn't be more proud of our guys' effort at both ends of the floor."
 
Four Leathernecks scored in double figures and two finished with nine points.
 
Senior Garret Covington led all scorers with 22 points on 6-of-11 shooting from long range. The Edwadsville, Ill. native's six triples ties a career-high. He also led the team with seven assists and had four rebounds in a team-high 38 minutes of action without turning the ball over once. Delo Bruster also finished in double figures with 10 points.
 
Sophomore center Brandon Gilbeck finished with his first career double-double grabbing 10 rebounds to go along with his 12 points. Junior Dalan Ancrum finished with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting and 14 of his points came in the second half.
 
Senior Mike Miklusak was one point shy of his fifth double-double of the season, finishing with nine points and a team-high 11 boards. He also tallied four assists. Freshman C.J. Duff contributed nine points, all via the three, and finished with three helpers.
 
"Our guys just stepped up to the challenge. Each game is going to present a different challenge, but our kids are up for the battle. To their credit, we've had to make several adjustments personnel-wise. We talk about 'Next Man Up,' and Dalan Ancrum comes off the bench and gives us a great lift. Chris Snyder gives us a great lift. I thought it was a total team win," concluded Wright.
 
The Leathernecks continue Summit League play at home on Saturday (Jan. 7) when Oral Roberts visits Macomb. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. inside Western Hall.  
 
 
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