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WIU Athletics

Heading West

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks travel to Denver, Omaha this week

MACOMB – Coming off a four-game homestand, the Western Illinois men's basketball team hits the road this week for a pair of conference games hoping to stay hot.
 
The Leathernecks are on a five-game winning streak, improving to 14-8 overall and 7-4 in the Summit League. The hot streak has Western Illinois alone in second place in the conference.
 
Next up for Western Illinois is a trip west as the Leathernecks face Denver (12-12 overall, 3-8 in the Summit) at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Omaha (7-16 overall, 3-8 in the Summit) at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
 
WHO | Western Illinois (14-8, 7-4) at Denver (12-12, 3-8)

WHERE | Hamilton Gym, Denver, Colorado

WHEN | Thursday, 8 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA | Twitter; Facebook

FOLLOW ALONG |  Live stats; Stream

 
WHO | Western Illinois(14-8, 7-4) at Omaha (7-16; 3-8)


WHERE | Baxter Arena, Omaha, Nebraska


WHEN | Saturday, 2 p.m.


SOCIAL MEDIA | Twitter; Facebook


FOLLOW ALONG |  Live stats; Stream
 
Last time out:
Last week was a big one for the Leathernecks, who won four games in the span of a week. Western Illinois topped St. Thomas (60-56) last Saturday, North Dakota (92-80) on Monday, South Dakota (75-72) on Thursday and South Dakota State (81-73, OT) on Saturday. Trenton Masser led the way, averaging 29.25 points per game during the four-game home stretch.
 
About the Leathernecks:
In 11 conference games, Western Illinois is the third-highest scoring offense, averaging 72.9 points per game. In league games, the Leathernecks rank sixth overall, surrendering 71.2 points per game. WIU is third in field goal percentage, hitting 45.7 percent of shots while foes shoot 46.2 percent (eighth) from the field. Western Illinois is the top three-point defense in the league though, allowing teams to make 28.8 of shots from three in conference play. Western Illinois is fifth in the league, shooting 33.8 from three.
 
In conference play, Trenton Massner is second in scoring, averaging 21.9 points per game. Jesiah West is fourth in rebounds, with 7.5 per game, Massner is eighth with 6.5. In conference games, Massner leads the league with five assists per game while West is second in blocked shots (2.1 per game, 23 in conference games). Alec Rosner leads the league in minutes per game, averaging 39.7 minutes per contest. Massner is second at 38.5
 
About the Pioneers:
In 11 league games, Denver ranks seventh in points, averaging 69.4 per game. Defensively, the Pioneers are 10th, allowing 80.6 per game. Denver has lost three-straight games after a two-game win streak snapped a four-game skid. Denver shoots 45.6 percent from the floor while oppponents make 45.5 percent of their shots.
 
Tommy Bruner is seventh in the Summit in scoring, averaging 17.8 points per game in league play. Tyree Corbett is second in the conference with 8.0 rebounds per game.
 
History:
In the previous match up between the two teams, Western Illinois was victorious inside Western Hall, winning 91-74. The Leathernecks led 37-25 at half before both teams started rolling offensively in the second half.
 
Massner and Rosner each had big games with Massner scoring 29 and Rosner 28. Vuk Stevanic added 13 points while KJ Lee scored 10 off the bench. West added seven points, six rebounds, four blocks and three assists. Bruner and Touko Tainamo led Denver, each soring 19 points. Corbett added 16 while Tevin Smith scored 10.
 
About the Mavericks:
In 11 Summit contests, Omaha averages 69.5 points per game, sixth in the conference while allowing 75.7 points per game (ninth in the league). Omaha is shooting 45.4 from the floor (fifth) while opponents make 45.7 percent (seventh).
 
Frankie Fidler leads the scoring, averaging 14.7 points per game in Summit contests. Fidler also leads the way on the glass, averaging 6.7 rebounds per game.
 
History:
Omaha handed Western Illinois its only loss inside Western Hall in conference play, topping the Leathernecks 78-74 on Jan. 5. In that game, the Mavs led by as many at 18 points, leading the entire game. Omaha was able to get inside, scoring 42 points in the paint. Frankie Fidler led the way, scoring 21 points. Marquel Sutton added 13 while JJ White scored 12 and Dylan Brougham had 10. Omaha went 29-51 from the field. Western Illinois had a cold night shooting, making 33.9 percent of its shots (19-56). Vuk Stevanic led the way, scoring 21 points while Massner added 19. Rosner and Elijah Farr each scored 10 while West had nine.
 
WIU Fast facts:
Massner is 83 points away from scoring 1000 points as a Leatherneck. West's 43 blocked shots ranks him 10th in program history for a single season. Early this week, Massner captured Summit League Player of the Week honors for the second time this season, fourth in his career. With seven conference wins, the Leathernecks match their league win total of last season. Western Illinois has not won more than seven games in the Summit League since going 13-3 in the 2012-13 season.
 
What's next:
After this week's trip, the Leathernecks return to Western Hall for the final two home games of the regular season. The Leathernecks take on Kansas City next Thursday at 6 p.m., then face Oral Roberts in the home finale and Senior Day.
 
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