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Western Illinois University Athletics

Kobe Webster
86
Winner North Dakota UND 12-14,6-6 Summit League
83
Western Ill. WIU 5-18,2-11 Summit League
Winner
North Dakota UND
12-14,6-6 Summit League
86
Final
83
Western Ill. WIU
5-18,2-11 Summit League
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
North Dakota UND 36 37 13 86
Western Ill. WIU 29 44 10 83

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

OT Thriller Goes to UND

Western played well down the stretch but fell short in overtime.

MACOMB, Ill. – Emotions are scattered all over the gym floor in Western Hall after an absolute barn burner. Saturday's men's contest had the makeup of an entertaining basketball game, and Western Illinois came up short in the 86-83 overtime thriller to North Dakota.  

Kobe Webster put up 20 points in back-to-back nights and nearly walked away as the game hero. With 28 seconds left in OT, he swished a 3-pointer on his signature step-back, but the basket was waived off for traveling. 

"I told our guys whatever emotion they may feel right now is ok. Frustration. Anger. But, at the end of the day, channel that energy into the next workout, into the next practice, and allow it to bring us closer as we finish out the rest of the regular season," said head coach Billy Wright.

"We put ourselves in a position [to win], and never felt like it's over until it's over. I'm proud of our guys for fighting, clawing, and making the necessary adjustments. It could've gotten out of hand early, but our guys made consecutive stops. Ball movement was great. We shot almost 50 percent in the second half, and I couldn't be more pleased with the resiliency." 

Seven points separated the teams at halftime, but the start of the night was much closer. The contested opening included three ties and four lead changes, and it wasn't until after the 15-all stalemate that momentum began to shift.

The Fighting Hawks pulled away on an 11-1 run, and while they never trailed for the rest of regulation, Western certainly threatened. 

The Leathernecks held the final possession -- and a chance to seal the win – when C.J. Duff fought through a swarm of Hawk defenders. The senior attempted a jumper in the paint, with hands all around the basket, but no interference was called. 

Finishing with 11 points, Duff is now two points shy of his 1,000th. Ben Pyle recorded 15 and Anthony Jones grabbed a career-high, team-high 10 rebounds. DreShawn Allen also came off the bench for 12 points. 

The Leathernecks wrap their 2019-20 home calendar with Omaha next Saturday. Seniors Duff, James Claar, and Keshon Montague will be recognized prior to the 7 p.m. tip.
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