Little Rock, Ark- Western Illinois Men's Basketball (10-19, 4-14 OVC) put together a strong first-half performance but couldn't sustain the momentum, falling 75-61 to Little Rock on Saturday afternoon at Jack Stephens Center.
The Leathernecks came out firing, taking a 39-36 lead into halftime behind an efficient shooting display. Ryan Myers led WIU with 17 points, knocking down five three-pointers and grabbing eight rebounds. Trey Deveaux contributed 11 points and nine boards, while Sean Smith and Julius Rollins each added nine points.
WIU's hot start saw them hit seven three-pointers in the first half, helping them control the pace early. However, offensive struggles in the second half proved costly, as the Leathernecks managed just 22 points after the break. They shot 29% from the field in the final 20 minutes, allowing Little Rock to take control.
Turnovers also hurt the Leathernecks, as they committed 14 in the game, leading to 18 points for the Trojans. Despite forcing six steals and blocking two shots, the Leathernecks couldn't overcome their offensive slump down the stretch.
WIU will look to bounce back on Tuesday as they will host Lindenwood for the final home game of the season. It will be Senior Night where Trey Deveaux, Julius Rollins, Sean Smith, Marko Maletic, and Ryan Myers will be honored.
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