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Western Illinois University Athletics

Kyle Arrington
86
Winner Northern Ill. NIU 4-2,0-0 MAC
81
Western Ill. WIU 0-4,0-0 Summit League
Winner
Northern Ill. NIU
4-2,0-0 MAC
86
Final
81
Western Ill. WIU
0-4,0-0 Summit League
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Northern Ill. NIU 41 45 86
Western Ill. WIU 36 45 81

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Cardinal Direction Schools Go Down to the Wire

It was a two-possession game through the final five minutes.

MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois men's basketball team played host to Northern Illinois for the first time in 25 years, and the matchup didn't disappoint, though the visiting Huskies claimed the 86-81 win. 
 
"We're not into moral victories, but there were a lot more positives to take away tonight," said head coach Billy Wright. "Obviously, our guys did a really good job fighting down by 10, but guys came in and gave us a lift. Both teams fought hard, and we just fell a little short." 
 
The cardinal directions schools put on a show in the first half, where there were six ties and nine lead changes. 
 
Neither led by more than two possessions until the Huskies worked for a fast-break layup with 11:11 on the clock. Through that point, the visitors managed a 22-15 edge, but the score was deadlocked at 25-all by the next media timeout (7:57). 
 
Coming out of the break, Ben Pyle rattled in back-to-back 3-pointers for Western's lone advantage under the 10-minute mark. The final tie sat at 33-33 with 4:21 left before the half, and Northern Illinois entered the locker room up, 41-36. 
 
Back-to-back 3-pointers (Pyle), back-to-back dunks (James Claar), back-to-back buckets (Kyle Arrington). 
 
The Leathernecks enjoyed things in two, and Arrington's two-handed jam pulled his team within two, 65-53, with 9:13 remaining. The dunk brought Western Hall to its feet and forced an NIU timeout. 
 
Every time the Leathernecks attempted to turn the corner, Northern Illinois would put an end to their hype. Webster's trey at 3:16 (77-74) was met by one from the Huskies, and it marked the closest margin for the rest of the game. 
 
Kobe Webster finished with 26 points behind a 5-for-8 clip from three, and Zion Young added 16. Claar rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points and added five rebounds and three blocks. 
 
The Leathernecks return to Western Hall Saturday at 7 p.m. Central Christian College of the Bible comes to town. 
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