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Western Illinois University Athletics

Brandon Gilbeck
Larry Dean
56
Dominican University DU 0-1
95
Winner Western Illinois WIUMM 2-1
Dominican University DU
0-1
56
Final
95
Western Illinois WIUMM
2-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Dominican University DU 24 32 56
Western Illinois WIUMM 50 45 95

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men’s Hoops Takes Back-to-Back Wins Inside Western Hall

The Leathernecks left Western Hall with back-to-back wins and five scored in double-figures in each.

MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois men's basketball team (2-1) is three games into its 2018 season, and Wednesday (Nov. 14) marked the second straight where five Leathernecks scored in double figures. Both finals resulted in victories, as the latest occurred in a 95-56 decision over Dominican University (Ill.).

Brandon Gilbeck led the Leatherneck contingent with 19 points on a 6-for-7 effort from the floor. He added four blocks and three rebounds, while Isaac Johnson poured in 18 points, Ben Pyle and Zion Young 12, and Kobe Webster 11. 

"We always want to play the right way. On offense, it's moving the ball, sharing the ball, making the extra pass when guys are open," said head coach Billy Wright. "We have to make the right decisions, whether it's getting in the paint off the bounce, catching and shooting the three or dumping it down low to the big fella [Gilbeck]." 

The Dominican Stars were unable to crack double-digits until under the 10-minute mark of the first quarter, but Western kept its foot on the gas the entire game. The Leathernecks managed a 22-3 edge with 12:45 to go before the half, while at one point shooting 70.9 percent (17-for-24) from the field. 

Freshman Ben Pyle capped all first-half scoring with a swished three-ball from the corner, and fellow newcomer Young provided a spark off the bench with crowd-hyping dunks and off-balanced runners. The two chipped in eight points each before the break as the Leathernecks entered halftime up, 50-24. 

The point differential never fell below 25 points in the second half and swelled to 40 with 4:36 remaining. 

"I thought our guys came out with a tremendous amount of focus and energy and that's what it is with us – being energy, positive energy, and attacking them before they attack us." 

The Leathernecks' next three games will take place on the road at Eastern Illinois (Nov. 17), Tennessee-Martin (Nov. 21) and Nebraska (Nov. 24).


 
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