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Western Illinois University Athletics

Will Carius
71
Iowa Wesleyan M-506037 0-1
97
Winner Western Ill. M-771 3-0,0-0 Summit League
Iowa Wesleyan M-506037
0-1
71
Final
97
Western Ill. M-771
3-0,0-0 Summit League
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Iowa Wesleyan M-506037 32 39 71
Western Ill. M-771 53 44 97

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks Defeat Tigers

Five players scored in double figures as Western moves to 3-0 on the season.

MACOMB, ILL. – The Western Illinois Fighting Leatherneck men's basketball team was in action on Tuesday (Nov. 16), defeating the Tigers of Iowa Wesleyan 97-71 at Western Hall. The Leathernecks are now 3-0 on the young season as they prepare for a three-game road trip.
 
"When you start the season off with such a high, the expectations move to that level so now you have to keep things in perspective," head coach Rob Jeter said. "We're still a young team as far as being together, it's only the third game of the year, clearly we have a lot to get better at but the fact that we're 3-0 makes me optimistic."
 
Will Carius got out to a quick start scoring the ball, reaching double figures within the game's first ten minutes. After going on an 18-4 run to close the first half, Western held a 53-32 advantage and led the game in several statistical categories. They shot 21-38 from the field (55.3%), 6-6 from the line and made five three pointers. Carius led all scorers with 16 as the Leatherneck defense limited Iowa Wesleyan to just 20% from behind the arc.
 
The second half was characterized by highlight-reel dunks, with two Leathernecks putting their opponents on a poster. Adam Anhold caught the first body, grabbing his own miss and raising up for a two-hand jam that drew a foul and extended Western's lead to 23. Jadrian Flores added another with 2:10 remaining in the game, coming around the corner and raising up for a one-handed slam right over the top of the Tiger defender. It was Flores' first dunk on the season and the game went final soon after, finishing as a victory for Western Illinois.
 
As a team, Western shot 52.9% from the field and made seven three pointers. Their offensive aggression resulted in 29 free throw attempts, and the rebound matchup finished as a 48-24 advantage (17-4 on the offensive glass). The Leathernecks' size played a role in the game, finishing with 58 points in the paint and 18 second chance points. The bench pitched in 35 as the team scored 15 points off turnovers.
 
"There's a lot of key stats that jump out to me," Coach Jeter said. "The fact that our second unit was able to come in and provide a lift, our bench points were spectacular tonight, we rebounded the ball well, just some things that you would think would jump off the page based on where we're trying to develop and who we're trying to be, I think those things showed up again tonight."
 
Five Leathernecks finished in double figures for scoring: Carius (16), Tamell Pearson (15), Colton Sandage (13), Luka Barisic (12) and George Dixon (10). Pearson added 11 rebounds to finish with his first double-double of the season.
 
"I was just trying to get myself going, plus the guys were looking for me as well. They were a smaller team so whenever one of us posted up they would double or try to get us to go fast, but Coach Nick told me just to be patient, things will come," Pearson said after the game. "It's the third game of the season, I had two okay games but I know I'm going to get going."
 
Cameron Burrell had six points and seven rebounds, grabbing three on the offensive glass and hitting two free throws. Trenton Massner had another balanced attack, scoring six points with five rebounds, six assists a block on 3-6 shooting from the field. George Dixon's ten points came on 4-4 shooting from the field and Adam Anhold grabbed six rebounds to go with five points across 12 minutes of action.
 
"Last year we led the conference in offensive rebounding and were one of the top offensive rebounding teams in the nation. Coach always emphasizes it's grit thing – we've just got to grit our teeth," Pearson said. "We're a big team this year, especially by adding Luka, getting Cam back, me as well, Adam coming off the bench so we just emphasize offensive rebounding, getting the board and getting out."
 
The Leathernecks are back in action on Saturday (Nov. 20), facing the DePaul Blue Demons on the road. Tipoff at Wintrust Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
 
 
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