Leathernecks win for 10th time in 11 games, move into first place tie atop Ohio Valley Conference

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Western Illinois men’s basketball team proved it is ready for prime time, picking up a win in front of a nationally televised audience on Thursday, topping Southern Indiana 73-68 in Evansville, Indiana.

The win is the 10th in 11 games for the Leathernecks (13-7, 6-1), who move into a first-place tie in the Ohio Valley Conference with Morehead State. It is the 14th straight game Western Illinois has held an opponent to 71 or fewer points. Western Illinois visits Morehead State on Saturday afternoon in a showdown for first.

The Leathernecks had a slow start, falling behind 9-2 in the game’s first 3:45, but Western Illinois clawed back into the game, grabbing a 37-35 lead at the break.

The Leathernecks came out firing in the second half, building an 11-point lead, 56-45 with 12:32 to go. Foul trouble plagued Western Illinois, allowing Southern Indiana to get back into the game at the foul line. The Screaming Eagles shot 20 free throws in the second half, making 17.

The advantage at the line saw Southern Indiana cut the Leatherneck lead to two, 64-62 with 2:47 to go. The game remained a two-point game until the final 34 seconds when James Dent Jr. (14 points) took over, scoring the last five WIU points to turn a two-point lead into a five-point win.

Ryan Myers led the way for the Leathernecks, scoring a team-high 23 points on 8-15 shooting. Drew Cisse contributed 12 points and eight rebounds. Tay Knox provided a spark off the bench, adding seven points. Jesiah West and JJ Kalakon each finished with six points. 

Western Illinois went 27-56 from the field (14-27 in the second half), 5-18 from three and 14-22 from the line. Southern Indiana went 20-50 from the field, 6-17 from three, and 22-27 from the line.

Bench points were a huge factor as Knox and Dent Jr. outscored USI’s reserves, 21-4. Points in the paint were also important, with WIU holding a 36-24 advantage.