WIU men lose to St. Thomas
ST. PAUL, MINN. – The Western Illinois University Fighting Leatherneck men's basketball team played on Saturday (Jan. 1), losing 66-89 to the St. Thomas Tommies at Schoenecker Arena in St. Paul, Minn. The Leathernecks are now 10-4 on the season and 1-2 in league play.
Cold shooting hurt Western in the first half, as the team shot 32.1% from the field in the first half, while making 9-10 from the line. The Leathernecks grabbed more offensive rebounds than St. Thomas (5-4), and forced six turnovers. At half, however, the Tommies held a 43-27 lead. Western Illinois opened the second half on a tear, going on a 14-3 run and making 6-7 shots from the field while allowing just three St. Thomas points from the free throw line. At 15:02 remaining in the period, the Tommy lead stood at just five points, 49-44. However, St. Thomas persisted and would rebuild the lead, eventually winning 66-89.
Trenton Massner and Tamell Pearson led WIU in scoring with 13 apiece, each shooting over 50% from the field and blocking at least one shot. Will Carius and Luka Barisic each had ten points and three rebounds, while combining to shoot 8-8 from the free-throw line. Colton Sandage grabbed a WIU-career high seven rebounds to go with nine points and two assists, while George Dixon continued his run of efficient offense with six points and two steals on 3-5 shooting.
After shooting 58.6% from the field during the second period of play, Western finished with a shooting percentage over 45% for the game, making four shots from deep and ten free throws. The Leathernecks grabbed nine offensive rebounds and scored 36 points in the paint, while the defense forced ten turnovers and blocked three shots.
Western Illinois men's basketball is back in action next week, facing the Kansas City Roos on Thursday (Jan. 6). Tip-off at Western Hall is scheduled for 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The McDonough County Voice: wiu men basketball at st thomas
