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Western Illinois University Athletics

Colton Sandage
Sarah Ritter
84
Winner South Dakota SD 8-6,6-0 Summit League
74
Western Ill. WIU 2-11,0-6 Summit League
Winner
South Dakota SD
8-6,6-0 Summit League
84
Final
74
Western Ill. WIU
2-11,0-6 Summit League
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
South Dakota SD 42 42 84
Western Ill. WIU 20 54 74

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Sandage Puts on a Show

Colton Sandage put up numbers in Western's series finale against South Dakota.

MACOMB, Ill. - It was the Colton Sandage Show inside Western Hall Saturday evening, and his efforts were much needed to avoid a nearly lopsided decision to South Dakota. The junior guard posted 17 second-half points to spark a late Western Illinois run, but the final fell to USD by a score of 84-74. 

"Wheels came off the wagon, and we couldn't recover," said associate head coach Chad Boudreau. "I know there are no moral victories, but the guys that came in there late had a great run down the stretch. It gives us some depth. 

"We've been waiting for Colton to get some confidence and make some shots. He's a shooter and made them at a high level in junior college. Now, he's playing against athletes as athletic or maybe more athletic in the Summit League, and so [tonight's production] is a positive. Hopefully, we can build on that." 

Calling upon Cameron Burrell and Ramean Hinton for their first Leatherneck starts, Western switched up its starting five in both games against the 'Yotes. Burrell received the call on Friday and Saturday, while the freshman made the most of his appearance in the finale. 

Hinton was responsible for seven of Western's first 10 points at the 11:45-mark and added four rebounds and a steal. His team was down by three at that point, but the Coyotes entered halftime with a 42-20 lead. 

Seconds before the intermission, Braden Lamar walked onto the court for the first time this season; the 6-foot-5-inch freshman adds depth at the guard position and is another welcomed addition for the Leathernecks, who saw Adam Anhold return at the start of league play. Lamar's first collegiate field goal was a 3-pointer. 

"It's not just about the points. It's him popping out there to make that three," Boudreau said. "He can make perimeter shots. He's been banged up, and I'm glad he's back. He's a great kid, and making that three hopefully gives him some confidence." 

With nine minutes remaining, Sandage provided WIU a much-needed lift when he went off for 14-straight points. He was lethal around the arc on a perfect 3-for-3 clip. WIU trailed by as many as 37 in the second half but certainly made things exciting. 

"It's really just trusting what you put into it every day," said Sandage. "Every day, staying after the practice for extra shots, once you get into the game you just have to apply it and trust what you do. 

"Lately in practice, I've been on scout team, just trying to get my confidence back and doing pretty much what I did tonight.  It was about applying it to the game." 

Sandage finished with a career-high, team-high 17. Will Carius added 13, and Tamell Pearson recorded his third double-double on 11 points and 12 rebounds. 

The Leathernecks hit the road for their next two series at North Dakota (Jan. 29-30) and Omaha (Feb. 6-7). 
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