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Western Illinois University Athletics

Kobe Webster
69
Milwaukee UWM(1)~1 6-4
90
Winner Western Illinois WIU 7-2
Milwaukee UWM(1)~1
6-4
69
Final
90
Western Illinois WIU
7-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Milwaukee UWM(1)~1 25 44 69
Western Illinois WIU 53 37 90

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

WIU Cruises Past Milwaukee 90-69

Five Leathernecks finish in double figures led by Kobe Webster's 21 points

MACOMB, Ill. - In a game in which the Leathernecks never trailed, Western Illinois (7-2) rolled past Milwaukee (6-4) 90-69 on Saturday evening (Dec. 9) inside Western Hall. The Purple and Gold captured a 35-point lead in the first half and did not see its lead drop below 22 until Jeremiah Bell made a 3-pointer with three seconds remaining.
 
"They're well-coached and they played really, really hard. But I thought our guys did a really good job of helping off some of the guys we had designated," said head coach Billy Wright. "It was a team effort, and the scheme is somewhat simple. I'm passionate about it, and the kids, they understand. It's beautiful to see when it comes together on both ends of the floor."
 
Western had five double-digit scorers for the first time since against Denver on Jan. 11. Kobe Webster (21), Brandon Gilbeck (17), Jeremiah Usiosefe (16) and Dalan Ancrum (13) all netted more than 10 points.
 
"We thought we had some advantages with them and their lineup, and we thought with our four-guard lineup, we'd get open shots," said Wright. "It was just a matter of knocking them in, and we did a really good job with that tonight."
 
Three straight 3-point field goals to start the contest contributed to a 14-4 lead for the Leathernecks. Webster, Ancrum, Usiosefe and Delo Bruster all knocked down trifectas within the first six minutes of the game. With 11:11 to go, WIU put together eight straight points that included Ancrum and Webster 3-pointers and also a shifty move from Webster that turned into a layup that extended the Leatherneck lead to 12 points.
 
"Confidence comes through preparation. Our staff does a tremendous job with the scouting reports, and our kids, they stick to the gameplan and they execute on both ends of the floor," said Wright.
 
With 3:28 in the first half, the Leathernecks took a 19-point lead and extended it to 31 on a run that included six Isaac Johnson points, five from Webster and an old fashioned 3-point play from Gilbeck.
 
Jeremiah Bell made a 3-pointer as time expired in the first half that cut the Leatherneck lead to 28 points.
 
The second half opened in a back-and-forth battle as teams traded three consecutive baskets. The Leathernecks fended off a 16-7 Panther run as C.J. Duff found the bottom of the net from deep, marking his second straight contest with a pair of 3-pointers.
 
Western knocked down its final six free throws to win the game by 21 points.

WIU has ten days off before returning to action against a tilt at Eastern Illinois on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
 
GAME NOTES:
-Ten first-half 3-pointers was the most for Western Illinois this season.
-Sixteen 3-pointers was the most for the Leathernecks since South Dakota State on Jan. 4.
- No player played 40 minutes for the first time in four contests.
- Webster recorded 21 points and six assists.
- Usiosefe logged 16 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.
- Gilbeck notched his third double-double of the season with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
- Western Illinois shot 61.5 percent from deep.
- The defense held Milwaukee under 40 percent shooting (39.7 percent).
- WIU defense forced 13 Panther turnovers.
-Usiosefe had a career-high in 3-points makes with four.
 
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