MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois University men’s basketball team played host to South Dakota inside Western Hall Thursday, where it dropped the Summit League contest, 80-54.
“Give them (South Dakota) credit, they’re a team on a mission,” said head coach Billy Wright. “They were definitely more aggressive than we were, and we just got in a situation where we couldn’t make shots. I thought we were getting really good shots at the rim, shots that we’re capable of making.”
C.J. Duff finished the evening as the lone Leatherneck in double-figures. He recorded a team-high 13 points while Kobe Webster, Dalan Ancrum and Issac Johnson each added nine.
After the Coyotes jumped out to a quick 14-7 lead, Duff and Johnson hit back-to-back three-pointers to pull the Leathernecks within one point with 12:54 remaining in the half.
Webster knocked down two free throws and a jumper on the ensuing possessions (8:28) to cut the South Dakota lead to three points at 24-21, but a 15-0 run allowed the visitors to separate.
Ancrum stopped Western’s five-minute scoring drought with a jumper in the lane, and the team entered halftime trailing, 44-25.
In the decision, South Dakota improved to 19-6 overall and 7-2 in league play, while WIU fell to 10-11 and 1-7, respectively.
The Leathernecks return to Western Hall Saturday (Feb. 3) in a 2 p.m. contest versus Oral Roberts. Billed as a Summit League ‘Food Fight’ game, fans are encouraged to bring canned food items as a donation to the Western Illinois Regional Council (WIRC) right here in Macomb. All kids ages 12 and under will receive free admission with the purchase of an adult ticket and a five-can donation.
