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Western Illinois University Athletics

MBB v Chicago State
Kellyn Whitlow
52
Chicago State CSUM 3-11
81
Winner Western Illinois WIUMM 5-8
Chicago State CSUM
3-11
52
Final
81
Western Illinois WIUMM
5-8
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Chicago State CSUM 17 35 52
Western Illinois WIUMM 41 40 81

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Leathernecks ‘All In’ in Non-League Finale Win

Every available Leatherneck suited up in the team’s 81-52 victory over Chicago State.

MACOMB, Ill. – Guided by its mantra of 'All In,' Western Illinois men's basketball concluded the non-conference portion of its schedule Thursday (Dec. 20) with every available player suiting up in the team's 81-52 victory over Chicago State. 

In the decision, the Leathernecks (5-8) also wrapped the inaugural Summit League-Western Athletic Conference Challenge with a win. The WAC narrowly claimed this season's series, 5-4. 
    
"We definitely wanted to bounce back from a tough stretch," said head coach Billy Wright. "We've been on the road a lot, and our guys understood the importance of this game. We understood that Christmas vacation comes after, and I was proud of our guys for not getting caught up in travel plans and things like that. We had a job to do today, and I was proud of their effort.

"We want to play the right way on both ends of the floor for 40 minutes, whether we're up 10 or down 10, and it starts with the defensive end for us." 

C.J. Duff entered halftime was almost as many points as the entire Cougar team combined. The Waukegan, Ill., native was nearly perfect in his shot selection, swishing five of his first seven attempts, with four made 3-pointers. 

He managed 14 points at the break, helping to power the Leathernecks to a 41-17 edge, before tagging Brandon Gilbeck and Kobe Webster to finish the game.  

The Leathernecks led the entire way and held their largest lead of the game at 39 points as the scoreboard read 72-33 with 7:10 remaining.

Duff finished the game with a team-high 17 points, while Webster added 16 and Zion Young 10. For Gilbeck, the outing marked his first double-double of the season on 14 rebounds and 12 points with six blocks. 

Western returns to Western Hall Friday, Dec. 28, and Sunday, Dec. 30, for its Summit League-opening weekend against South Dakota State and Denver, respectively. 
 
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