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Western Illinois vs. Omaha
Daytona Dooley

Leathernecks begin home stretch vs. St. Thomas, UND

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

WIU host Tommies on Saturday, Fighting Hawks on Monday

MACOMB – After splitting their most recent road trip, the Western Illinois men's basketball team returns to Western Hall this Saturday to begin a four-game home stand.
The Leathernecks open the string at 2 p.m. on Saturday, hosting St. Thomas. Western continues the stretch Monday afternoon, hosting North Dakota in a make-up from a game postponed earlier this season at 6 p.m.
 
WHO | St. Thomas (13-8, 4-2) at Western Illinois (10-8, 3-4)
WHERE | Western Hall, Macomb, Illinois
WHEN | Saturday, 2 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA | Twitter; Facebook
FOLLOW ALONG | Live stats; Stream; Radio
 
WHO | North Dakota (7-13, 1-6) at Western Illinois (10-8, 3-4)
WHERE | Western Hall, Macomb, Illinois
WHEN | Monday, 6 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA | Twitter; Facebook
FOLLOW ALONG | Live stats; Stream; Radio
 
Last time out:
Western Illinois snapped a three-game road losing streak on Saturday, topping Kansas City 60-52. The Leathernecks were led by Trenton Massner's 19 points while Vuk Stevanic added 11.

The Leathernecks led by as many as 13 in the first half. In the second half, the Roos tied the game but were never able to take the lead as a 9-2 WIU run early in the second half kept Western Illinois in control. Defense was the key as WIU held KC to 31.3 percent shooting from the field, including 12 percent from three. KJ Lee and Jesiah West tied season highs in rebounding as Lee pulled down 10 boards and West had nine.
 
About the Leathernecks:
Western Illinois is 7-2 at home this season, including 6-2 inside Western Hall. The Leathernecks are outscoring opponents 85.1-72.4 inside Western Hall. Overall Western Illinois is outscoring foes 74.9-72 this season. The Leathernecks are making 45.1 percent of their shots while holding foes to 45. WIU is shooting 31.3 percent from three while opponents are making 30.8.
 
About the Tommies:
St. Thomas is 13-8 overall, 4-4 in the Summit League and 2-8 on the road this season. St. Thomas lost both its games last week, falling at Kansas City and Oral Roberts. The Tommies average 75.9 points per game while allowing 70.9. St. Thomas shoots 46.1 percent from the field while allowing foes to make 45.9 percent of their shots. St. Thomas is one of the premier three-point shooting teams in the country, making 37.4 percent of their threes (averaging nine per game) while opponents shoot 35.3 from beyond the arc.

Andrew Rohde leads the offense, scoring 14.8 points per game while Parker Bjorklund averages 14.6 and Riley Miller scores 13.8. Allen Brooks adds 8.9 points per contest while Kendall Blue scores 8.6. Bjorklund adds 4.7 rebounds per game while Brooks grabs 4.1 boards.
 
History:
The Leathernecks are 2-1 in the all-time series against St. Thomas. The two teams split their meetings last season, with each team winning on their own home floor. The only other time the two programs met was a 59-45 WIU win in Macomb on Dec. 8, 1948.
 
About the Fighting Hawks:
North Dakota is coming off its first Summit League win of the season on Thursday night, topping Kansas City, 77-60. The Fighting Hawks made a program-record 18 three-pointers to dispatch the Roos. Treysen Eaglestaff led the way, scoring 19 points.

This season, UND is averaging 68.3 points per game while allowing 70.1. The Fighting Hawks shoot 35.6 from three while foes are making 35.2 percent from beyond the arc.

B.J. Omot leads the team in scoring, averaging 11.2 points per contest. Matt Norman adds 9.1 while Tsotne Tsartsidze adds 7.9 and Eaglestaff pours in 7.6.  Tsartsidze leads the way on the glass, pulling down 4.8 rebounds per game.

Before coming to Macomb, the Fighting Hawks host Summit League leader Oral Roberts on Saturday.  UND is 2-7 on the road this season.
 
History:
North Dakota leads the all-time series 7-6. Western Illinois has won three straight in the series, including sweeping the Fighting Hawks last season. The last time ND defeated the Leathernecks came inside Western Hall, an 83-81 overtime victory on Jan. 29, 2021. That win gave UND a five-game win streak over WIU.
 
Fast facts:
Trenton Massner is fifth in the Summit in scoring, averaging 16.2 points per game. His 5.4 assists per contest lead the league and his 1.7 steals are second. His 42.4 shooting percentage is fourth. Alec Rosner is fifth in the league in minutes per game, averaging 35.2. His 41.0 percent shooting from three ranks him second. Jesiah West is second in the conference in block shots per game, averaging 1.8.
 
What's next:
After Monday's game with UND, the Leathernecks remain in Macomb, welcoming the schools from South Dakota. Western Illinois hosts the Coyotes next Thursday at 6 p.m., then welcome the Jackrabbits on Saturday at 2 p.m. Western Illinois then hits the road for a pair of games, visiting Denver (Feb. 2) and Omaha (Feb. 4).
 
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