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Western Illinois University Athletics

WIU Visual Productions Center
72
UTRGV UTRGV 5-4,0-0 WAC
90
Winner Western Ill. WIU 4-4,0-0 Summit League
UTRGV UTRGV
5-4,0-0 WAC
72
Final
90
Western Ill. WIU
4-4,0-0 Summit League
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UTRGV UTRGV 29 43 72
Western Ill. WIU 42 48 90

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

Leathernecks exact revenge on UTRGV

WIU has season's best performance in 90-72 win

MACOMB -- With revenge on their mind, the Western Illinois men's basketball team played perhaps the most complete game of the season, topping Texas Rio Grande Valley 90-72 on Saturday afternoon. The Vaqueros defeated the Leathernecks (4-4) 78-77 at the buzzer in Texas less than two weeks ago, but on Saturday, it was all WIU, which led from the start to finish and by as many as 25 points.

"This was a huge game because we felt we were better and should have won the first game against them," Vuk Stevanic (15 points, six rebounds, five assists) said. "It's good to give it back, it's a good thing to finish halves, we keep talking we have to stay disciplined, finish possessions, not them let get rebounds, stay true to our identity, from that perspective, it was huge that we won in this fashion."

Despite never trailing, the Leathernecks were never at ease until a big run midway through the second half put the outcome in little doubt, reversing the way the previous match with UTRGV went.

"That game down there, we were in foul trouble the first half but hung around at 10-12 points and this game, we saw them hang around at 10-12 points, it was the opposite, until we put a run together," WIU coach Rob Jeter said. "That was important, but it was also important to see guys smiling, having fun. We had a stretch, including that game at Rio Grande where we were not having fun. I'm happy to see them enjoy this process, it's not going to be easy, it never is going to be easy, but we're still having fun and tonight we saw that."

Trenton Massner led the way, scoring a season-high 25 points. Jesiah West was next, adding a personal season high as well, scoring 18.

"Jesiah can erase points, his blocks are key for us, he saved us the other night and knowing you have someone who can erase points is good," Jeter said. "Trenton, when he gets going is one of the best in the league, then you add the one-two punch Alec Rosner (11 points), he makes enough of those shots, then Q (Quinlan Bennett, eight points, four rebounds, three steals) settles in and run the team.

"That's the thing, Trenton was running point, then Q slides in and we can move Alec and Trenton out to wings and we have two shooters and that gets us in a position to stretch the floor."

The Leathernecks had a fast start, getting out to an 11-4 lead. Western Illinois would hone in on UTRGV's Justin Johnson, limiting the guard and the Vaquero offense.

"As a whole 40 minutes, this is the most complete game we've played," West said. "Both offensively and defensively, both ends of the floor, we were getting things done."

Defensively, Western forced a season-high 20 turnovers and converted those turnovers into 25 points. WIU also was able to get to the line, making 18-29 free throws.

"It all felt great, especially the turnovers," Jeter said. "We force 20, we get 25 points off them, that's huge. We're playing the way we want to play. We made more free throws than the opponent attempted, which is huge for us."

The Leathernecks would go 32-62 from the field and 8-22 from three, outrebounding UTRGV 37-33.

Western is next in action next Wednesday, looking to extend its win streak to three games. The Leathernecks host Iowa Wesleyan at 6 p.m. in the final game of a four-game homestand.

"These last two games, we've come together, we were challenged after the Youngstown State game," Jeter said. "That game rocked us, we go into that game thinking we've come home and we can settle in and then we get blown out. We didn't play to our standards, we've had games like that last year and never got back, we've seen a better response this year."
 
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