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Sarah Twidwell

Men's Basketball Goes For Season Sweep of Coyotes

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

The Leathernecks return home in the 'Think Pink' game to play host to South Dakota Saturday (Feb. 16) at 2 p.m.

South Dakota (9-15, 3-8) at Western Illinois (8-16, 3-8)                                 
Date/Tipoff: Feb. 16, 2019 | 2 p.m.
Location: Macomb, Ill.
Site: Western Hall
Radio: Danny Frey on the Leatherneck Sports Network (WRMS 94.3 & WJEQ 102.7
Conor Fredland and Tommy Cook on 88.3 FM The Dog
TV: ESPN3 (Brendan Reidy, Michael Harms and Collin Miller)
 
Last Time Out: Brandon Gilbeck stuffed the stat sheet, but Purdue Fort Wayne (16-10, 8-3) was too much in the second half as Western Illinois (8-16, 3-8) fell 79-64 on Thursday night (Feb. 7).
 
Gilbeck recorded the first triple-double by a Summit League player since 2007. The senior's 10 blocks are also tied for most in an NCAA Division I game this season as he broke his own program record for blocked shots in a single season (85).
 
"Brandon is a guy who is a big force at both ends of the floor," head coach Billy Wright said. "We know that and more people that see him play throughout the country are getting a glimpse of his dominance."
 
Western Illinois got off to a 7-0 start in the first two minutes of the game a wing triple from Kobe Webster. The Mastodons quickly closed the gap then grabbed the lead before Ben Pyle evened the score 16-16 with a corner trifecta at the 8:38 mark of the first half.
 
After a 15-5 run by the 'Dons, the Leathernecks found themselves down by double-digits from 3:46 to 1:20 rattled off a 9-0 run capped off a Webster 3-pointer to draw within one point.
 
Trialing 34-30 at halftime, the Purple and Gold hung around thanks a to 3-ball by C.J. Duff with 15:45 to go in the second half, but that was the closest it would be the rest of the way. Moving in transition and 12 made 3-pointers helped the Mastodons pull away for the victory.
 
Gilbeck finished history with 12 points, 16 rebounds and 10 blocks as he leads the nation with 91 total blocked shots. The triple-double with points, rebounds and blocks has only been accomplished five other times since the 2014-15 season. Webster led all Western scorers with 15 points and Duff added 11 with a team-high three assists.
 
Series History against South Dakota: The Coyotes lead the all-time series 11-8 after the Leathernecks won the first meeting this year, 65-59 on Jan. 26 in Vermillion for their first and only Summit League road win of the season so far. Ben Pyle collected his second career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Webster added 13 points with three assists while C.J. Duff contributed 11 points. Brandon Gilbeck scored 10 points with six rebounds and swatted three shots.
 
Scouting the Coyotes: South Dakota is currently on a four-game losing streak that started with the loss at home to Western. The Coyotes fell 86-72 inside the Sanford Coyote Sports Center on Sunday (Feb. 10) as Triston Simpson nearly missed a double-double (20 points, nine rebounds) while Stanley Umude dropped in 18 and was 9-for-9 from the free throw line.

Umude leads the Coyotes in scoring (14.6) and blocks (1.1) while Simpson averages 13.8 points per game while pacing USD with 3.3 assists a night. Senior Trey Burch-Manning is the squad's leading rebounder (6.0) as he has settled into the starting lineup back from injury. Todd Lee is in his first season as the head coach of his alma mater after five seasons as the associate head coach at Grand Canyon under former NBA player, Dan Majerle. The coaching veteran was 154-81 at the helm of Division II Kentucky Wesleyan.  
 
Think Pink Game: Western Illinois Athletics has partnered with McDonough District Hospital and Linda's Fund to 'Think Pink.' The event will raise money in support of women diagnosed with breast cancer, and for $1 fans can purchase pink ribbons, wristbands or post on the department's 'Think Pink' wall. T-shirts can also be purchased for $15; join the fun by donating through our Think Pink donation form.

To purchase a t-shirt in advance, please call (309) 298-1190 or email Diane Cassimire at dl-cassimire@wiu.edu.
 
Gilbeck Doing Gilbeck Things: After recording the first triple-double in Summit League history since Demetrius Johnson of IPFW in 2007, Brandon Gilbeck was named Co-Summit League Player of the Week. Gilbeck earned the weekly league award once already this season on Nov. 19, 2018. 

The senior center put together a stat line of 12 points, 16 rebounds and 10 blocks at Purdue Fort Wayne on Thursday (Feb. 7). The 10 blocked shots tied JaKeenan Gant of Louisiana for the most blocks amongst NCAA Division I players this season and are tied for fifth most in Summit League history.
 
The 7-footer leads the nation with 91 blocks and recently broke his own previous Western Illinois program blocked shots record (85). Gilbeck shared the weekly honor with Kevin Obanor, a freshman forward from Oral Roberts who notched back-to-back double-doubles.
 
For Threeeee!: Western Illinois ranks 21st in the nation with a 38.8 percent team 3-point field goal shooting percentage. C.J. Duff leads the way shooting an impressive 43.6 percent (48-for-110) from deep.
 
20-Something: Kobe Webster has eclipsed the 20-point scoring plateau nine times this season. The sophomore guard has also scored in double figures during every game this year except on Nov. 24 at Nebraska when he was limited to three points.
 
Protect The Rock: Western Illinois has committed 272 turnovers as a team, which is the 50th fewest in the NCAA. The Leathernecks have committed 10 or fewer turnovers in three of their last four games. 
 
Take Them, They're Free: The Leathernecks rank 58th among NCAA Division I teams in free throw percentage by connecting on 74.1 percent of their shots from the charity stripe this season. 
 
Rip It Down!: In addition to being the top shot blocker in the nation, Brandon Gilbeck is tied for 61st in the nation with 204 total rebounds and is alone in 58th for rebounds per game (8.5). 
 
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