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Sarah Ritter

Men's Basketball Returns to Western Hall

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

After playing three straight road games, the team will play their next three in Macomb.

Who | Western Illinois (4-1) vs Miami (5-0)
When | Saturday (Nov. 27), 2 p.m.
Where | Western Hall – Macomb, Ill.
Social media | Instagram + Twitter + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Matchup history: The Leathernecks and RedHawks have played three times in program history; Western holds an 0-3 record in those matchups. The last time these two teams faced off was Dec. 9, 2020, which Miami won 67-57 at Millett Hall in Oxford, Ohio. Will Carius scored 15 points, and Tamell Pearson finished with 12 points and ten rebounds. The other two matchups came in 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Players to watch: Currently the team leader in minutes played with 186, Trenton Massner's first season as a Leatherneck has gotten off to a strong start. He's currently scoring 12.3 points, grabbing 6.3 rebounds and dishing out 3.7 assists per game, and has made clutch buckets in two important wins against Nebraska and Northern Kentucky. The junior guard from Wapello, Iowa, was an all-conference player in the Southland Conference last season.
 
Tamell Pearson is in his second season as a Leatherneck and has started each of the team's six games this season, averaging 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. His rebound total is tied with Trenton Massner for most on the team, and at 50% his field goal percentage also leads the team (minimum 25 attempts). At 6-10, Pearson's size will be an important factor against a Miami team with five players who are listed at 6-8 or taller.

Scouting the opponent: The RedHawks are currently 5-0 on the season and coming off a 99-47 victory against Defiance College. Just like Western, Miami opened their season with a road victory against a Power Five school, defeating Georgia Tech 72-69 in Atlanta. Dae Dae Grant is the team's leading scorer at 17 points per game and the duo of Mekhi Lairy and Isaiah Coleman-Lands are both averaging 4.8 assists per game.

What's next: The Leathernecks are back in action on Wednesday (Dec. 1), taking on Ball State at Western Hall. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at Leathernecktickets.com or by calling 309-298-1190.
 
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