MOREHEAD, KY -  The Western Illinois Men's Basketball team came up short in their matchup against Morehead State, losing 51–47 in an Ohio Valley Conference battle on Thursday night. WIU's record now stands at 8–10 overall and 2–5 in conference play.

The Leathernecks led 26–21 at halftime, showcasing a strong defensive effort in the first half. Marko Maletic paced WIU with 10 points and six rebounds, while Sean Smith contributed 11 points, including a late three-pointer that gave the Leathernecks the lead at the break. However, WIU struggled offensively in the second half, managing only 21 points and hitting just 2-of-12 from beyond the arc for the game.

Kayden Carter provided an inside presence with eight points and five rebounds, while Trey Deveaux added seven points and five boards off the bench. Western Illinois showed resilience by forcing six turnovers and recording six steals but ultimately fell short as Morehead State's interior play proved decisive, with the Eagles outscoring WIU 26–20 in the paint.

WIU will look to bounce back on Saturday at Southern Indiana. Tip off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. 

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