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Western Illinois University Athletics

Webster
Larry Dean
74
Winner Eastern Illinois EIU 5-5
67
Western Illinois WIUMM 4-6
Winner
Eastern Illinois EIU
5-5
74
Final
67
Western Illinois WIUMM
4-6
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Eastern Illinois EIU 29 45 74
Western Illinois WIUMM 38 29 67

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

Panthers Pull Away From Leathernecks In Second Half

Eastern Illinois used multiple runs to beat Western Illinois, 74-67 to claim the Old Railsplitter Axe.

MACOMB, Ill.— The Western Illinois (4-6) men's basketball team surrendered a 16-point lead in a 74-67 loss to Eastern Illinois (5-5) on Saturday night (Dec. 8). The Panthers swept the season series against the Leathernecks this season and retain possession of the Old Railsplitter Axe traveling trophy. 
 
"I thought our guys played 25 minutes of good basketball," head coach Billy Wright said. "I thought we got excellent shots. We had open looks inside and outside in the second half. We hang our hat on our defense and that's what got us a 16-point lead. It's a game of runs but we didn't knock down shots and get the defensive stops we needed. 
 
A contentious first half captured three ties and three lead changes before 3:32 left in the first half when Kobe Webster nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to lift the Leathernecks up, 28-25. Nine of Western's 13 field goals at the break came from behind the arc, as it shot an astounding 64.3 percent in 3-point land to take a 38-29 lead at the break

The Leathernecks created a 49-33 lead after a mid-range jumper by Isaac Johnson with 16:43 remaining. From that point until the 6:56 mark the Panthers went on a 19-0 run to take a 52-49 edge. Ben Pyle capped the stretch with a 3-pointer from the top of the key, but the scoreboard read 52-52 and Western was never able to recover after Eastern immediately went on another 10-0 run. 

Webster led the way in scoring again with 17 points and three assists. C.J. Duff notched his first career double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. Ben Pyle added 16 points while Brandon Gilbeck reeled in a game-high 13 rebounds. 

The Leathernecks leave Western Hall again to face former Summit League member IUPUI on the road Saturday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. (CT). 
 
Notes: 
- Eastern Illinois now leads the all-time series 82-81.
- The Leathernecks are now 3-1 at home this season. 
- Brandon Gilbeck has a combined 32 rebounds against Eastern Illinois this season. 
 
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