Skip To Main Content

Upcoming Events and Recent Results

Western Illinois University Athletics

U
Alex Boggis-UT Martin
90
Western Illinois WIU 2-3
92
Winner UT Martin UTM 2-2
Western Illinois WIU
2-3
90
Final
92
UT Martin UTM
2-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Illinois WIU 49 41 90
UT Martin UTM 46 46 92

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

Leathernecks Shoot Lights Out in High Scoring Heartbreaker

Western Illinois had five players score in double figures in a 92-90 loss at UT Martin.

MARTIN, Tenn.— The Western Illinois (2-3) men's basketball team shot 55 percent from the field but surrendered a late lead in a 92-90 shootout loss to UT Martin (2-2) on Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 21). 
 
"I thought our guys did a really good job of fighting with toughness," head coach Billy Wright said. "We just have to lock in and stay locked in for 40 minutes. Give the Skyhawks credit, they made some unbelievable shots down the stretch and if they miss one or two of those, the outcome might be different. From last game to this game, I thought we did a good job getting defensive rebounds down the stretch."
 
UT Martin opened the game on a 7-0 run that helped propel the Skyhawks to a 14-3 advantage at the first media timeout. Western chipped away and cut the deficit to a single point, 23-22 on a transition left wing three-pointer by Isaac Johnson at the 9:30 mark of the first half. 
 
With two minutes left, Kobe Webster tied the game at 45 on a baseline jumper and forty seconds later, Webster handed the visitors a 47-45 lead. Over a span from 10:46 to 1:13, the Leathernecks made 15 of their last 16 field goal attempts and took a 49-46 advantage into halftime. 
 
Western Illinois created separation and C.J. Duff jumper halfway through the second half built a double-digit lead at 68-57. The Leathernecks led by as many as 12 points and had an 82-72 lead after two free throws from Brandon Gilbeck with 4:11 remaining. UT Martin chipped the deficit to one possession, 87-84 on a triple by Preston Parks with 1:01 to go. Zion Young split at the free throw line and Parks cashed in with three straight free throws after he was fouled behind the arc by Duff as the game narrowed, 88-87. 
 
Following a Western timeout, Young got a layup to fall on a fierce drive to the basket for a 90-87 lead with 22 seconds left, but Parks immediately answered with a straightaway three-ball to tie it up at 90. The purple and gold had the ball with 15.3 seconds remaining and a chance to win. Duff drove inside and on a loose ball in the corner, Young fouled Delfincko Bogan setting a one-and-one situation at the charity stripe with 0.8 left on the clock. Bogan buried both free throws and a desperation heave from Duff was short in a 92-90 loss. 
 
Kobe Webster led the way with 21 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Jeremiah Usiosefe made his season debut with 19 points and six rebounds. Duff added 12 points while Young and Gilbeck both scored 10 to round out five scorers in double figures. 

The Leathernecks have Thanksgiving off before hitting the road to Big Ten opponent, Nebraska on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. 
 
Print Friendly Version