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Rachael Keating

Ball State Visits for Mid-Week Game

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

The Leathernecks and Cardinals will face off for the eighth time in program history.

Who | Western Illinois (5-2) vs Ball State (3-3)
When | Wednesday (Dec. 1), 6 p.m.
Where | Western Hall – Macomb, Ill.
Social media | Instagram + Twitter + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Matchup history: The Leathernecks and Cardinals have played seven times in program history, most recently on Nov. 26, 2019, which was played in Muncie and ended as a 69-62 Western Illinois victory. A historically even-matched series, the Leathernecks have won three of their last five matchups against Ball State.

Players to watch: Currently the team leader in three-pointers made and percentage from behind the arc, Luka Barisic has been a steady presence on the block for Western Illinois this season. He's averaging 15.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game and is the top shot-blocker for Western this season, and is coming off an efficient 13 points (5-10 from the field, 3-4 from deep) against Miami last week.
 
George Dixon has proven to be a key member of the Leatherneck rotation this season, playing 19.1 minutes a game in each of his seven appearances. At 5.1 rebounds per game he ranks fifth on the roster, and he leads the team in total offensive rebounds with 17. The senior from Milwaukee, Wis., has grabbed five or more rebounds in each of his last three games.
 
Braden Lamar has played in six games this season, averaging seven minutes per appearance. Against Miami on Nov. 27, he played nine minutes and grabbed two rebounds. Lamar has played in each of the team's last three games.
 
Scouting the opponent: Ball State is currently 3-3 and in the midst of a two-game winning streak. They defeated UMass 89-86 on Nov. 21, and most recently beat Indiana State by double digits on Saturday (Nov. 27). Their offense is fueled by a balanced attack and effective shooting from range, with five guys averaging nine or more points per game and the team combining to shoot 41% from behind the arc. Luke Bumbalough and Jalen Windham are their top weapons, with Bumbalough scoring 13.2 points per game on 46% from deep and Windham at 11 a game while shooting 42% from three.
 
What's next: The Leathernecks are back in action on Saturday (Dec. 4), taking on UT-Martin at Western Hall. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at Leathernecktickets.com or by calling 309-298-1190.
 
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