MARTIN, Tenn. – Eight days separated from its last outing, the Western Illinois men’s basketball team was hungry to return to the court and a schedule addition at UT Martin helped provide relief. The two met for the third consecutive season Sunday (Dec. 20), where Western (2-4) captured its first win in the all-time series while also delivering UTM (3-1) its first loss of the year.
The final score read: Leathernecks 81, Skyhawks 63.
“The prep time going into this game was really good,” said head coach Rob Jeter. “We were a lot more together, and as a group, we just felt good. There was a lot more positive energy and it carried into the game. The next step is to take care of the ball and make free throws, but today was about having some fun. We’re not doing it 100 percent correct, but we’re making strides.”
Will Carius reached double-figures less than three minutes into the contest, singlehandedly providing his team an 11-2 lead at the 16-minute mark. The graduate-transfer remained on the floor the entire first half, where he went 4-for-6 from behind the arc for 14 points. The opening period also saw JJ Flores make his season debut; as time expired, he hit a deep 3-pointer to send the Leathernecks into the locker room up, 41-26, at the half.
Western sat in front all evening and shot a season’s best 50 percent from the field; the team held its largest advantage at 26 points. Cameron Burrell recorded his first Leatherneck double-double on a season-high 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Carius led all scorers with a season-high 18. Justin Brookens and Tamell Pearson rounded out the Leathernecks’ double-figure contributors with 15 and 11 points, respectively.
In another recent schedule addition, Western will take a trip to the Windy City Wednesday night for an 8 p.m. matchup at DePaul.
***Recap courtesy of WIU Athletics***
