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Western Illinois University Athletics

50
Eureka EUREKA 1-8,0-0 SLIAC
79
Winner Western Ill. WIU 7-4,0-0 Summit League
Eureka EUREKA
1-8,0-0 SLIAC
50
Final
79
Western Ill. WIU
7-4,0-0 Summit League
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Eureka EUREKA 11 39 50
Western Ill. WIU 41 38 79

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

Tuning up for the Summit

Leathernecks win fifth straight to cap nonconference

MOLINE – Playing the final tune-up before conference play, the Western Illinois men took care of business on Friday, topping Eureka College 79-50 at the Vibrant Arena in Moline. The victory was the fifth in a row for the Leathernecks, who enter conference play at 7-4.
 
The Leathernecks faced a familiar foe, as Eureka coach Chip Wilde took on his alma mater, only to see Western Illinois hand Eureka the defeat.
 
"Coming up here, play a team, this is a big deal for them," Western Illinois coach Rob Jeter said. "It was important that we bring Coach (Chip Wylde) back, he has strong ties, a lot of family in Macomb, strong ties to WIU, I played Division III, there is a lot of respect that went into this game, a lot of intentional things that went into scheduling this game.
 
"Part of it is respect the game, play the game the right way, this can be a great learning video for guys who normally do not play a lot of minutes who want to be better and maybe wish they had those 20 minutes back, so we can teach them and get better."
 
Western was in control early, leading big and never letting up against the Red Devils. The Leathernecks were up 30 at half, 41-11. Jesiah West got it going early, scoring eight of his nine points in the first five minutes. West also had seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal.
 
"We played a very business-like game early," Jeter said. "It's finals week, you see scores from across the country and there's some weird stuff. I watched a game where a Division III team was up at half on a Division I team, so we understand what's going on. I think this will be a great video to teach things and get better."
 
After missing the previous game due to illness, Quinlan Bennett was back and led the Leatherneck offense, finishing with 14 points as Western begins prepping for league play.
 
"It was really important coming off the flu to get back and get comfortable," Bennett said. "You can never get too comfortable, we still have to lock into our tasks and get ready for conference."
 
It was a balanced performance for Western as 11 different players saw action. Bennett led the way with 14 points while Steph Gabriel added 13. Alec Rosner and Vuk Stevanic each added 10 while Trenton Massner and West each finished with nine. KJ Lee and Elijah Farr each scored six. Lee led the way on the glass with 10 rebounds while Massner had eight and West notched seven. Massner handed out five assists while Stevanic had three steals.
 
"It was fun, I had some family here, it's not as close to home as people think, it's basically the same distance to Macomb, but I heard about the arena as an events center and I've never been here, so it's nice to play here," Massner said. "It's not Macomb, I like Macomb a little better, but it was fun. It was good to see Q get back into a rhythm, Alec has been sick so it was good to see him get back to game speed especially before conference."
 
The Leathernecks welcome North Dakota State to Macomb on Monday for a 6 p.m. tip before hosting North Dakota on Wednesday night. With the Summit League starting, the team remains focused not only on factors on the court, but off it as well.
 
"We have to make sure we're healthy, we need to get everyone healthy and stay healthy but also understand the importance of taking care of home court," Jeter said. "We have to go in with the mindset that we have to play hard, we're learning some of those things. I love playing here, I'd love to do it every year, I think the community here is connected with WIU.
 
"But now we're in conference, we have guys who have been feeling sick, we have to get better by Monday then lock in because one of the teams who represents excellence in this league is coming. I have a lot of respect for them so we have to be ready."
 
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