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Western Illinois University Athletics

Young, Claar
82
Western Ill. WIU 5-12,2-5 Summit League
87
Winner Omaha UNO 11-10,4-2 Summit League
Western Ill. WIU
5-12,2-5 Summit League
82
Final
87
Omaha UNO
11-10,4-2 Summit League
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Western Ill. WIU 42 30 10 82
Omaha UNO 31 41 15 87

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Omaha Slips Past Leathernecks in OT

It took an extra period to decide the 87-82 final in Baxter Arena.

OMAHA, Neb. – The Western Illinois men's basketball team visited Baxter Arena Thursday night with the tall task of ending Omaha's 15-game home winning streak. 

It took an extra period to settle the final score, but in the end, the Mavericks claimed the 87-82 decision. 

It was anyone's ballgame through the first eight minutes, and neither team was able to firmly pull ahead until Kyle Arrington walked onto the court. The near 7-footer lives a stone's throw away from Baxter Arena in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and his first appearance of the night catalyzed a 13-3 Leatherneck run. 

Arrington hit back-to-back layups at the start of the stretch, and by the end of it, Western led 27-17 (7:29). The Leathernecks shot 61.5 percent from the field in the first half en route to a 42-31 edge. 

The difference between the two halves was night and day, as Omaha worked a hot hand coming out of the break. 

Western never trailed in the second frame, but a 14-0 Maverick run threatened to change the course of the evening. Just two points, 51-49, separated the two when Ben Pyle spun his way to the rim for a contested lay-in (13:32) and similar to the game's start – it was again anyone's game. 

Things evened out at 72-all at the end of regulation, and then again at 78 with 2:40 to go in OT. Free throws set the Mavericks apart in the final seconds, despite a near game-tying trey from Pyle. 

With 37 ticks on the clock and the Leathernecks down by three, 83-80, Pyle's attempt hit the rim and led to a foul by Western.

"Down the stretch, [Omaha] made some tough shots," said head coach Billy Wright. "They made some deep shots. They made shots with hands in their face. They just made more than we did down the stretch."

Six Leathernecks posted double digits with Kobe Webster leading the charge with 17 points. Pyle and James Claar finished with 13, C.J. Duff and Zion Young added 11, and Arrington wrapped the field with a career-high 10. 

Western continues its road swing Saturday at North Dakota. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
 
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