MACOMB, ILL. – The Western Illinois University Fighting Leatherneck men’s basketball team played on Monday (Nov. 1), beating the Monmouth College Fighting Scots 88-34 at Western Hall. With the win, the Leathernecks complete their preseason exhibition schedule undefeated.
“We’re trying to get better every night and I thought we did some things really well, and I thought there’s some things that we need to improve on so we’re going to get to work and improve on those things,” head coach Rob Jeter said after the game. “It’s difficult at times when you’re playing and you’re up, I think it was 56 points, trying to stay disciplined and locked in, but they’re young kids and I was really pleased with the outcome.”
The first half was marked by a fast pace of play and quality shooting numbers, with the Leathernecks making 17 of 38 shots from the field (44.7%), 5 of 12 from three (41.7%) and 9 of 12 from the free throw line. The team forced 12 turnovers in the game’s first 20 minutes, resulting in 18 points while scoring 14 points on the break. At the horn, Western led 48-18.
The Scots got out to a quick start in the second half, scoring three quick buckets and cutting into the Leatherneck lead. However, with 16:01 remaining, KJ Lee hit a three that sparked an 18-0 Western run, a period which included a put-back dunk by George Dixon and spanned over 3.5 minutes of game play. Western’s offensive output continued throughout the second half, growing the lead to as much as 56 as they won 88-34.
Braden Lamar led the team in scoring with 18, making three shots from behind-the-arc. After scoring just four points in the team’s first exhibition, Colton Sandage finished with 16 points on an efficient 6-8 from the field, and Tamell Pearson finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Leathernecks.
“No matter what, no matter who you’re playing, you always have to do what Coach teaches and what we go over every single day,” Sandage said of the game. “That’s what these exhibitions are for. I came out slowly in the first game and it was nice to get out, get myself together, and start hitting shots.”
Western won the battle on the glass 66-35, with four players finishing with at least nine rebounds: Pearson, KJ Lee (11), Trenton Massner (nine) and George Dixon (nine). Fueled by Lamar’s 18, the Leatherneck bench scored 39 points in the game. Lee added nine points and five assists to go with his 11 rebounds.
“It’s good to see KJ and Braden play and get comfortable, especially KJ because he’s been coming off a few injuries early in the fall and now he’s getting a rhythm back, he’s making shots, and I think the biggest stat for him is the rebounds. He’s starting to do some of the little things,” Jeter said. “Same thing with Braden, Braden is just consistent. He’s going to work hard and tonight he was able to capitalize on some of those hustle opportunities.”
The team’s two walk-on players, Robert Jeter IV and Matthew Wade, also got longer runs in Monday’s game than they did previously against UIS. Jeter played over 12 minutes, and Wade scored two points in almost nine minutes of action.
“I think when you start looking at our two walk-ons, Rob and Matt, coming off the bench, and also Adam Anhold. These guys haven’t played a lot of minutes and I thought they came in and played closer to the way that we want to play,” coach Jeter said. “They were patient, moved the ball and shared the ball, and it was good to see that from top to bottom we got everyone in and everyone had a chance to play.”
The Leathernecks will begin their regular season in just over a week, traveling to Lincoln, Neb., to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers on opening night. Tip-off next Tuesday (Nov. 9) is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Pinnacle Bank Arena.
***Recap and photo courtesy of WIU Athletic Department***
