MACOMB – The Western Illinois men remain on the road this week, heading to Missouri for a pair of games. The Leathernecks head south, taking on Lindenwood at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, then hop on I-55 to visit SEMO for a 3:45 p.m. tip in Cape Girardeau.
Western Illinois went 1-1 last week, improving to 6-2 in the OVC. The Leathernecks won at Southern Indiana last Thursday before falling at Morehead State on Saturday. The Leathernecks are in the midst of a four-game road trip. After this weekend, Western Illinois plays six of its final eight Ohio Valley Conference games inside Western Hall.
Lindenwood and SEMO met on Tuesday night, with the Lions defending their home court, 58-54.
WHO | Western Illinois (13-8, 6-2 in Ohio Valley Conference) at Lindenwood (8-14, 2-7); Western Illinois at Southeast Missouri (7-15, 2-7)
WHEN | 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1 (at Lindenwood); 3:45 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 3 (at SEMO)
WHERE | Robert F. Hyland Arena, St. Charles, Missouri (at Lindenwood); Show Me Center, Cape Girardeau, Missouri (at SEMO)
SOCIAL MEDIA | Instagram; Twitter; Facebook
FOLLOW ALONG | at Lindenwood: Watch; Listen; Live Stats; at SEMO: Watch; Listen; Live Stats
ABOUT THE LEATHERNECKS | The Leathernecks come into the week at 13-8, 6-2 in the OVC, and alone in second place. Western Illinois has won 10 of its last 12. WIU has held its last 14 opponents to 71 or fewer points, going 10-4 in those games. Western Illinois is led by Ryan Myers and James Dent Jr., who each score 13.4 points per game. Drew Cisse is grabbing 11.8 rebounds per night.
ABOUT THE LIONS | Lindenwood is coming off a Tuesday night 58-54 win over SEMO, the victory ended a five-game losing streak for the Lions. Lindenwood is 4-5 at home this season. Keenon Cole leads Lindenwood in scoring (18.9 points) and rebounding (6.4).
ABOUT THE REDHAWKS | SEMO is coming off a 58-54 loss at Lindenwood on Tuesday night. The Redhawks have lost five of their last six games. Rob Martin leads the team, averaging 11 points per game.
WHAT TO WATCH VS. LINDENWOOD | Own the glass: In the first meeting, Western Illinois outrebounded Lindenwood 50-23. The Leathernecks had 24 offensive rebounds, which led to 17 second-chance points.
Handle the rock: Western Illinois committed 17 turnovers, struggling against the Lindenwood defense. Fortunately for the Leathernecks, those turnovers only led to 13 Lion points.
Go West: Jesiah West registered a double-double, finishing with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Get back: Lindenwood pushed the ball in transition, finishing with 14 fast-break points.
WHAT TO WATCH VS. SEMO | Road Warriors: SEMO has been a tough place to play this season as the Redhawks are 7-3 in the Show Me Center.
Get to the line: The Leathernecks feasted at the free throw line in the previous game, going 19-27. SEMO went 4-11. WIU went 15-17 from the line in the second half.
Hit the glass: WIU outrebounded SEMO 50-33. The Leathernecks had 23 offensive boards, which led to 19 second-chance points.
HISTORY | This is the second all-time meeting for WIU vs. Lindenwood; WIU is 2-4 all-time vs. SEMO
WHERE THEY RANK | The NCAA leaderboard has plenty of Western Illinois names on it. Ryan Myers and Drew Cisse are in the top 10 in categories. Cisse is third in total rebounds (250), first in offensive rebounds per game (4.86), offensive rebounds (102), and third in rebounds per game (11.9). Myers is tied for seventh in three-point percentage (45.3)
As a team, the Leathernecks are fifth in block shots per game (6.1), fourth in total blocks (129), sixth in offensive rebounds per game (14.9) and third in rebounds per game (43.38)
WHAT'S NEXT | The Leathernecks are next inside Western Hall on February 8, when they host Little Rock at 7:30 p.m. Western Illinois follows that with a home game against UT Martin on Feb. 10 at 11 a.m.
