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Western men return home to host Penguins

Leathernecks take on YSU on Saturday

MACOMB -- The Western Illinois men's basketball team open a four-game home stand on Saturday afternoon, taking on Youngstown State at 2 p.m. inside Western Hall. After facing the Penguins, the Leathernecks host Southern Indiana (Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m.), Texas Rio Grande Valley (Dec. 3, 2:30 p.m.) and Iowa Wesleyan (Dec. 7, 6 p.m.) before returning to the road.
 
Who: Youngstown State (4-2) at Western Illinois (2-3)

When: Saturday (November 26), 2 p.m.

Where: Western Hall, Macomb, Ill.
 
Last time out
Western Illinois wrapped its three-game road swing with a 78-77 loss at UT Rio Grande Valley.
 
The Western Illinois men nearly made another dramatic comeback for a win but a Texas-Rio Grande Valley bucket at the buzzer gave the Vaqueros a 78-77 victory over the Leathernecks on Monday night in Edinburg, Texas.
 
The Leathernecks (2-3) trailed 52-41 with 12 minutes, two seconds to go, but a furious rally was capped by a dunk by Jesiah West (13 points, six rebounds, three assists and three blocks) with six seconds remaining that gave Western Illinois a 77-76 lead.
 
Unfortunately for Western, Ahren Freeman would make a basket at the buzzer to give Texas-Rio Grande Valley the win.
 
About the matchup
Saturday's game is the 33rd all-time meeting between the Penguins and Leathernecks. Western Illinois holds a 21-11 advantage vs. Youngstown State. The two teams were former conference rivals in the Mid-Con Conference. The two teams last met December 30, 2001, an 84-79 Leatherneck victory.
 
The Penguins are off to a strong start, winning four of their first six games. YSU lost its last game, falling to Navy 80-67. Youngstown State's other loss is an 88-81 defeat to Notre Dame. The Penguins do have wins over UC San Diego (73-54), Grace Christian (96-68), UT-Martin (90-72) and Canisius (92-81).
 
The Penguins are led by Adrian Nelson, who averages 15 points per game while grabbing 9.7 rebounds per contest. Dwayne Cohill scores 14.7 per night while Maleek Green adds 13.2 and Brandon Rush chips in with 11.0.
 
Youngstown State averages 83.2 points per game while allowing 73.8. The Penguins shoot 49.6 percent from the field and 37 percent from three. YSU foes are making 45.9 percent of their shots and 35.7 percent from three.
 
What's next
Western Illinois is off until Wednesday when the Leathernecks host Southern Indiana at 7:30 p.m. on November 30. The game is the second of a men's-women's basketball doubleheader inside Western Hall. The Leatherneck women start the evening against Tarleton State at 5 p.m.
 
 
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