MACOMB, Ill. The game was within reach for the Western Illinois men's basketball team but missed free throws and defensive breakdowns settled the 79-73 decision to Central Michigan Sunday afternoon (Dec. 6) in Western Hall.  

Evenly matched, neither team was able to pull away by more than two possessions until late in the first half. A 10-2 run helped Western to its largest lead of the night, 27-19, with five minutes remaining before halftime, and though the CMU threatened, the Leathernecks remained ahead through the break. In fact, the home side led for nearly 19 minutes and didn't trail again until the 9:59 mark.  

The difference sat in a 14-for-26 clip at the free-throw line for WIU and 30 second-half points in the paint for the Chippewas. 

"It was a couple things, I think fatigue set in with our guys, we don't have a defensive discipline yet to really tighten up when we need to," said head coach Rob Jeter. "When things are going good, we can be good, but when things tighten up and adversity kicks in, we see the bad habits.

"We were both doing the same thing, throwing it inside, but the 50-50 balls, the extra rebounds, the crucial things we did not make happen."

Tamell Pearson finished with a game-high, career-high 22 points with nine rebounds, and Rod Johnson Jr. (15), Colton Sandage (13), and Will Carius (11) joined him in double figures. 

The Leathernecks return to action with a two-game appearance in the Miami (OH) Invitational. Tournament play begins with the host Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. and concludes Thursday at 2 p.m. with Mount St. Joseph.