MACOMB, IL — Western Illinois Men's Basketball earned its first victory of the season Monday night inside Western Hall, surging in the second half to defeat Coe College 74–63.

The Leathernecks trailed 36–34 at the break but responded in the second half, outscoring the Kohawks 40–27 while taking control on both ends of the floor. WIU shot 49 percent from the field, piled up 40 points in the paint, and forced 16 turnovers that turned into 21 points the other way.

Lucas Lorenzen led the Leathernecks with 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals across 35 minutes. Goanar Biliew delivered an energy boost off the bench, finishing with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including a pair of emphatic finishes at the rim.

Francis Okwuosah added 11 points and nine rebounds while knocking down three shots from beyond the arc. Isaiah Griffin had nine points and seven boards, and the WIU bench contributed 29 total points to help lift the offense.

Defensively, Western Illinois tightened up after halftime, holding Coe to just 10 made field goals in the second half and forcing them into 8 turnovers. 

The win improves Western Illinois to 1–4 and sends the Leathernecks into the rest of the week with momentum. They now turn their attention to Friday's home matchup against Coastal Carolina at 6 P.M.

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