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Western Illinois University Athletics

Johnson Hughes
65
Western Illinois WIUM 6-12, 1-4 Summit
71
Winner North Dakota UND 8-10, 2-3 Summit
Western Illinois WIUM
6-12, 1-4 Summit
65
Final
71
North Dakota UND
8-10, 2-3 Summit
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Illinois WIUM 43 22 65
North Dakota UND 37 34 71

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

Late Push Comes Up Short at North Dakota

The Leathernecks cut a double-digit deficit to one possession with under 30 seconds left before a 71-65 defeat.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Western Illinois (6-12, 1-4) men's basketball team rallied late but fell short 71-65 at North Dakota (8-10,2-3) on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 12).
 
"Our guys always fight and compete," head coach Billy Wright said. "We focus on executing for 40 minutes. I was pleased with our approach and effort to get off to a great start with a quick turnaround. I thought we played 28 or 29 good minutes of basketball, but unfortunately, it's a 40-minute game."
 
The Leathernecks jumped out to an early 7-0 lead after a mid-range jumper by Ben Pyle nearly two minutes into the game. Back-to-back jumpers by Isaac Johnson and Kobe Webster handed Western a 28-18 advantage at the nine-minute mark of the first half. In the final two minutes, Jordan Hughes muscled inside for two consecutive buckets as the Leathernecks led 43-37 at halftime.
 
An 8-0 run capped off by a Marlon Stewart layup put North Dakota in front 49-47 with 13:41 left in the second half. Western Illinois never regained the lead and fell behind 68-58 with 2:03 remaining in regulation.
 
WIU forced turnovers to hang around followed by a Kobe Webster triple and his pair of free throws cut the deficit to one possession, trailing 68-65 with 41 seconds still ticking. The Fighting Hawks sealed the game on a corner trey with 13.5 seconds left by Cortez Seales for a 71-65 margin.
 
Johnson paced his squad with 16 points and Webster added 15 while C.J. Duff scored nine points in 39 minutes of play. Brandon Gilbeck scored 14 points with eight rebounds and two blocks.
 
The Leathernecks return to Western Hall on Thursday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. against Omaha.
 
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