Leathernecks Face First Road Test at SIUE

The Leathernecks and Cougars are slated to tipoff at 7 p.m.

GAME FOUR
MEN'S BASKETBALL: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS AT SIUE COUGARS
Nov. 22, 2017 • 7:00 p.m. (CT) • Edwardsville, Ill. • Vadalabene Center

LIVE STATS: HERE
LISTEN: HERE

ROSTER | SCHEDULE | TICKETS | RECORD BOOK | @WIUMENSHOOPS |

MACOMB, Ill.- The Western Illinois' men's basketball team will face its first road test of the season Wednesday (Nov. 22) against SIUE at 7 p.m. The Leathernecks are 3-0 this season with victories over Saint Mary's University of Minn., Eastern Illinois and Calvary University. WIU looks to go 4-0 for the second time in three years with a win at SIUE.

PUTTING IT THROUGH: Western Illinois leads The Summit League in field goal percentage, with 56.7 of their shots going through. Lynrick Moxey has put down 88.9 percent of his shots, sinking eight of nine attempts. Brandon Gilbeck is also shooting 80.6 percent from the field. Against Saint Mary's of Minn., the Leathernecks shot 85.2 percent from the field in the second half (23-27). Not only is WIU first in The Summit League in field goal percentage, the Leathernecks are also sixth in the nation. The Leatherneck offense nets 89 points per contest, which leads The Summit League. Gilbeck is third in the conference in scoring at 20.0 points per game, behind league-leader Bryson Scott and Preseason Player of the Year Mike Daum. Scoring isn't limited to just Gilbeck, as Dalan Ancrum's 16.7 points per game ranks seventh in the league. Delo Bruster and Kobe Webster each ranking in the 'Top 5' in three-point percentage, as Bruster is third by knocking down 60 percent of his shots behind the arc, and Webster is fourth by shooting 53.8 percent.

CLAMPING DOWN: The Leathernecks lead The Summit League in many defensive categories, including fewest fouls, rebound margin, turnovers forced and scoring defense. Perhaps the most impressive is scoring defense, as the Leathernecks only give up 49 points per contest, which is third nationally. Only Rutgers and Kansas State have given up fewer points than the Western, who is only 1.3 points away from the national lead. Western has only fouled opponents 34 times this season (11.3 per game). WIU has outrebounded opponents by an average margin of 18.3, which is first in the league and sixth nationally. Western has forced an average of 20.3 turnovers per contest, including 12 turnovers in the second half against Saint Mary's of Minn.

TAKIN' CARE OF THE ROCK: WIU been extremely effective with the ball on offense, ranking first in the Summit League with only 33 turnovers. The Leathernecks' assist-to-turnover ratio is equally impressive, with the WIU offense logging 1.76 assist for every turnover they commit. The offense crashes the boards, as it pulls down 12 shots per game off the glass.

SCOUTING THE COUGARS: The Cougars are led by Daniel Kinchen, who is putting in 20.3 points per contest. Kinchen's 20.3 points per game leads the Ohio Valley Conference. Justin Benton is fifth in the conference in assists per game, dishing out five per contest. SIUE is coming off of a win against Stetson, a game in which they won 80-76. SIUE's two losses were its season opener against Purdue and later on against Valparasio.

LOOKING AHEAD: After this matchup, the Leathernecks will travel to Ames, Iowa where WIU will take on Iowa State in an evening matchup at 7 p.m. on Saturday (Nov. 25). The Leathernecks will then return home for four straight against IUPUI, Miami (OH), American and UW-Milwaukee.

Tweet #W1U

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#15 Dalan Ancrum: G/F; 6' 6"; Senior; Westwood

#11 Delo Bruster: G; 5' 11"; Junior; Shawnee Mission South/Quality Education Academy

#52 Brandon Gilbeck: C; 7' 0"; Junior; River Valley

#14 Lynrick Moxey: G; 6' 2"; Senior; Tampa Bay/Lamar CC (Colo.)

#10 Kobe Webster: G; 6' 0"; Freshman; Park Tudor

Players Mentioned

#15 Dalan Ancrum
: 6' 6"; Senior; Westwood
: G/F

#11 Delo Bruster
: 5' 11"; Junior; Shawnee Mission South/Quality Education Academy
: G

#52 Brandon Gilbeck
: 7' 0"; Junior; River Valley
: C

#14 Lynrick Moxey
: 6' 2"; Senior; Tampa Bay/Lamar CC (Colo.)
: G

#10 Kobe Webster
: 6' 0"; Freshman; Park Tudor
: G