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Sathya Sai Chilukuri

Leatherneck Men Welcome Tennessee State to Western Hall on Saturday

Western Illinois in first place in the OVC

MACOMB – The first-place Western Illinois men's basketball team returns home to Western Hall, hosting Tennessee State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

The Leathernecks (12-6, 5-0) have won nine in a row and are a perfect 5-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play. The 5-0 start and nine-game winning streak are the longest since 2012-13 when WIU won 11 in a row and started Summit League play 6-0.

Tennessee State is 10-9 overall, 3-3 in OVC play and coming off an 85-53 win vs. Tennessee Tech on Thursday night.

WHO | Tennessee State (10-9, 3-3) at Western Illinois (12-6, 5-0)

WHEN | Saturday, January 20, 2024, 3:30 p.m.

WHERE | Western Hall, Macomb, Illinois

SOCIAL MEDIA | Instagram; Twitter; Facebook

FOLLOW ALONG | Watch; Listen; Live Stats

ABOUT THE LEATHERNECKS | The Leathernecks have won nine in a row and are 5-0 in OVC play. Western Illinois is tops in the conference in rebounds and second in scoring defense. The team allows just over 65 points per game and scores just over 71.

Western Illinois has not allowed more than 71 points in 12 games. WIU is 11-2 when holding opponents under 71 points.

James Dent Jr. leads the team in scoring, averaging 13.9 points. Ryan Myers adds 12.8 points per game. Jesiah West scores 8.8, Drew Cisse scores 8.6 and Quinlan Bennett scores 7.8

ABOUT THE TIGERS | TSU averages 76.8 points per game while allowing 71.9. The Tigers feature a balanced attack with Christian Brown's 14.6 points per game leading the way. E.J. Bellinger adds 12.5, Jaylen Jones scores 10.9 and Kinyon Hodges adds 10.2. Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. and Jason Jitoboh each score over nine points per game.

KEYS TO THE GAME | Offense vs. Defense: The Tigers are the third-highest scoring offense in the OVC while the Leathernecks are the second-lowest scoring defense. WIU has held 12 straight opponents under 71 points.

Take care of the ball: One spot both teams have struggled this season with is turnovers. WIU averages 14 turnovers per game while TSU averages 13.11.

HISTORY | The Tigers and Leathernecks have met four times in their program history, but not since December of 1958 when Tennessee State was Tennessee A&I. The Tigers lead the all-time series 1-3.

WHERE THEY RANK | Western Illinois is 5th in the country in blocks per game (6.4), 2nd in total blocks (115), 6th in rebound margin (+11), 7th in offensive rebounds per game (15.11), 2nd in rebounds per game (44.5).

Drew Cisse is 11th in blocks per game (2.5), 8th in blocks (45), 9th in defensive rebounds per game (7.5), 1st in offensive rebounds per game (4.72), 3rd in rebounds per game (12.2), 1st in total rebounds (220).

WHAT'S NEXT | Western Illinois hits the road for their next four games. The Leathernecks are at Southern Indiana next Thursday, playing on ESPNU at 8 p.m. On Saturday, Western Illinois faces a major showdown, taking on second-place Morehead State.

The following week, WIU is at Lindenwood (Feb. 1) and SEMO (Feb. 3).
 
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