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BASKETBALL AT LINDENWOOD
79
Winner Western Ill. WIU 14-8,7-2 OVC
71
Lindenwood Linden 8-15,2-8 OVC
Winner
Western Ill. WIU
14-8,7-2 OVC
79
Final
71
Lindenwood Linden
8-15,2-8 OVC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Ill. WIU 48 31 79
Lindenwood Linden 38 33 71

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | WIU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Hot Leathernecks Take Down Lindenwood

Western Illinois improves to 7-2 in OVC play with 79-71 win

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – With the defense taking the majority of the headlines this season, Thursday it was the offense's turn as the Leathernecks topped Lindenwood 79-71 to improve to 14-8 overall and 7-2 in Ohio Valley Conference play. The Leathernecks also improved to 5-1 on the road in the OVC.

Western Illinois went 28-49 (57.1 percent) from the field and 11-16 from three (68.8 percent), holding on to second place in the OVC. The 79 points are the most WIU has scored since dropping 92 on Eureka College on December 18.

The Leathernecks had it cooking in the first half, scoring a first-half high 48 points to lead 48-38 at the break. Western Illinois was on fire in the opening half, going 18-26 from the field (69.2 percent) and 8-10 (80 percent) from three.

JJ Kalakon (career-high 25 points) and Ryan Myers (21 points) led the way, going 16-21 from the field and 10-12 from three combined. Jesiah West also had a big night, adding 12 points. While West had a big night scoring, his big moments came on the defensive end as he blocked four shots in the game's final four minutes.

Drew Cisse contributed eight points, nine rebounds, and four assists. James Dent Jr. added seven points.

Lindenwood was able to hang around in part to a good shooting night. The Lions kept pace, especially in the first half. Lindenwood went 17-30 (56.7 percent) in the first half. The Leathernecks adapted in the second half, holding the Lions to 11-32 (34.4 percent) from the field after the break.

With the offenses of both squads clicking in the opening 20 minutes, it was Western Illinois' defense that made the statement early in the second half.

The Leathernecks opened the second half, pushing the lead to 14 in the first three minutes. From there, WIU kept Lindenwood at a distance, never allowing the Lions to get within seven until the final 1:11.

But Lindenwood refused to go away, cutting the deficit to three in the final :40, 74-71. Western Illinois closed the door for good from the line as Dent Jr., Quinlan Bennet, and Cisse hit five straight free throws.

The game is the 16th straight contest WIU has held an opponent to 71 points or fewer. The Leathernecks are 12-4 in those games.

Western Illinois is next in action on Saturday, heading south down Interstate 55 to Cape Girardeau to take on SEMO at 3:45 p.m. The matchup follows the Leatherneck and Redhawks women, who play at 1 p.m.
 
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