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Erick Talton

Leathernecks & Jackrabbits Meet Next

Western heads to South Dakota State Friday.

Who | Western Illinois (2-7) vs. South Dakota State (6-3)
When | Friday, Jan. 8 & Saturday, Jan. 9 | 7:30 p.m.
Where | Brookings, S.D. (Frost Arena)
TV | Jackrabbit Sports Network
Twitter | @WIU_MensHoops

Quick Hits
• The Leathernecks received their first glimpse of the Summit League in back-to-back outings against North Dakota State; the scores fell 68-50 and 78-68 in favor of the Bison
• In all but three games this season, either Will Carius or Tamell Pearson led the Leathernecks in scoring
• Rod Johnson Jr. was the only Leatherneck to score in double-figures in both games against NDSU 

Welcome back, Adam 
Adam Anhold checked in for the first time this season in Western's Summit-opening weekend versus North Dakota State. The Highland transfer joined the Leathernecks ahead of the 2020-21 season and was sidelined early after sustaining a knee injury during the preseason. 

He recorded a rebound and a steal in game one of the two-game set versus NDSU before pouring in nine points, three boards, and a block in the finale. 

On the Board 
The Leathernecks -- previously ranked as high as 10th in the NCAA -- are currently 49th in the nation in offensive rebounds per game (12.89). Western leads the Summit in the category, guided by Will Carius (3.00) and Tamell Pearson (2.67). 

A little History 
Western knocked off the Jackrabbits, 79-76, in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Summit League Tournament to become the first No. 8 seed in league history to upset the top seed.  

SDSU leads the all-time series, 27-5. 

Starting Five
Tamell Pearson, Will Carius, and Rod Johnson Jr. have started all nine games. The Leatherneck coaching staff has explored two different lineups this season, and Anthony Jones and Justin Brookens join the trio as the most popular (five out of nine contests).

Offensive Production 
Western Illinois is one of three programs in the Summit with at least three players averaging double-figures. Tamell Pearson guides the Leathernecks' offense with 12.8 PPG, Will Carius adds 11.3 and Justin Brookens 10.0. 

Double-figures in the Summit League (through Jan. 6) 
Denver - 1
Kansas City - 1
North Dakota - 1
North Dakota State - 4 
Omaha - 1
Oral Roberts - 2
South Dakota - 2
South Dakota State - 3

The Scout
SDSU is 6-3 on the year and will play its first league games against Western ... the Jackrabbits are the only Summit team with four players averaging double-figures - Noah Freidel (17.5 PPG), Baylor Scheierman (14.2 PPG), Douglas Wilson (14.2 PPG), and Alex Arians (11.7 PGG)  ... Wilson is the reigning Summit League Player of the Year 
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