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Sathya Sai Chilukuri

Leathernecks Make OVC Debut at SIUE on Sunday

| By: WIU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Western Illinois resumes season after long break

MACOMB – The Western Illinois men's basketball team resumes its season by making its Ohio Valley Conference debut on Sunday, taking on SIUE in Edwardsville at 3:30 p.m.

WHO | Western Illinois (7-6, 0-0) at SIUE (7-6)

WHEN | Sunday, December 31, 2023, 3:30 p.m.

WHERE | First Community Arena, Edwardsville, Illinois.

FOLLOW ALONG | Live Stats; Listen | Stream

SOCIAL MEDIA | Instagram; Twitter; Facebook

ABOUT THE LEATHERNECKS | Western Illinois makes its OVC debut on Sunday, visiting SIUE. The Leathernecks have won four straight games and five of their last six. Western Illinois has not allowed more than 60 points during the winning streak and have allowed 70 points once in the last six games.

James Dent Jr. leads WIU in scoring, averaging 14.8 points per game. Dent Jr. has scored in double digits in all but two games.

The Leathernecks are sixth in the country with 6.5 blocks per game while their 84 total blocks rank second in the country. WIU's 45 rebounds per game are tied for third in the nation.

ABOUT THE COUGARS | SIUE opens OVC play on Friday, hosting Eastern Illinois.

Prior to the EIU game, the Cougars have split their last six games.  Shamar Wright leads SIUE in scoring, averaging 15.3 points per game. Ray'Sean Taylor adds 13.3 points per game while Damarco Minor scores 13.0 points per contest and Lamar Wright adds 10.7.

LAST TIME OUT | Western Illinois closed out the nonconference portion of the season, topping Central Arkansas, 65-54. Drew Cisse had a double-double with 14 points and 17 rebounds. James Dent Jr. came off the bench, leading the team with 17 points. Dent Jr. added six rebounds. Ryan Myers added 10 points while Quinlan Bennett and Jesiah West each tallied eight points.

HISTORY | WIU is 2-0 all-time vs. SIU-E. The Leathernecks won the last meeting between the two schools, 83-58 on 11/28/18 in Macomb. Western won the lone game in Edwardsville, 69-67 on 11/22/17.
 
WHAT'S NEXT | Western Illinois returns home for the first time since Dec. 18 when it hosts SEMO (Jan. 4) and Lindenwood (Jan. 6)
 
EARNING HONORS | Drew Cisse was named OVC Newcomer of the Week for his performance last week. Cisse averaged 14 points and 14 rebounds in wins over Central Arkansas and Eureka. Cisse leads the OVC in all rebounding categories and has had double-digit boards in eight of the last nine games.

NATIONAL RANKINGS | Cisse leads the NCAA in total rebounds (159), is third in total offensive rebound (55), fifth in offensive rebounds per game (4.23), fourth in total defensive rebounds (104), seventh in defensive rebounds per game (8.0) and tied for third in rebounds per game (12.2).

As a team, the Leathernecks are sixth in blocks per game (6.5) and second in total blocks (84).

Western Illinois is tied for third in rebounds per game (45.00).
 
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