PDF Box |
MACOMB, Ill. – Eastern Illinois connected for 52 percent in the opening half but the Panthers cooled off in the second half dropping a 64-57 game at Western Illinois on Saturday afternoon in Western Hall.
WIU was cold in the first half but the Leathernecks took advantage of good rebounding to remain in the game as EIU led 32-29 at the half.
EIU fell to 2-6 on the year. The Panthers will play at Houston next Saturday in game two of the Global Sports Classic. WIU improved to 6-2.
Both teams played a majority of the first half without their leading scorers as Garret Covington for WIU and
Trae Anderson both picked up two fouls early in the half.
EIU was able to manufacture its 32-29 halftime with hot shooting and balanced scoring as the Panthers had points from several different players.
Aleksa Novakovic converted a four-point play at 8:07 that gave EIU a 19-17 lead. EIU was 13-of-25 from the field in the opening half.
A.J. Riley scored ten first half points as seven EIU players scored in the opening half. EIU led by five points at 32-27 with 1:02 left in the half as
Luke Piotrowski backed into the lane and converted one of his two first half jumpers.
J.C. Fuller led WIU with ten first half points as WIU shot 29 percent from the field including 0-of-11 from 3-point range. WIU entered the game second in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage. The Leathernecks crashed the glass to stay in the game as they pulled down 13 offensive rebounds in the first half leading to nine second chance points. EIU had a total of 13 rebounds in the first half.
WIU finally broke through for its first 3-pointer of the afternoon at the 15:15 mark of the second half which gave the Leathernecks a 39-36 lead. Fuller drained the 3-pointer as he made all three 3's for WIU on the day. Fuller finished with 24 points. WIU was 3-of-17 from 3-point range.
Fuller's 3-pointer just prior to the second media timeout pushed WIU's lead to 47-38.
EIU slowly chipped away at the lead with an 8-2 run that cut WIU's lead to 49-46. Fuller pushed the lead back to six points with his third 3-pointer.
EIU used another quick spurt to get within two points as
Cornell Johnston sank a 3-pointer with 3:38 to play that trimmed the Leathernecks lead to 53-51.
Both teams had scoring droughts down the stretch. WIU went 8:02 without scoring in the final 8:30 of the game, the only basket a dunk following a press break with 27 seconds remaining. WIU was able to maintain a lead with nine free throws. The Leathernecks were 12-of-20 at the line in the second half.
Anderson led EIU with 14 points followed by Johnston with 12. Riley added 12. EIU ended the day shooting 38 percent from the floor.
Covington reached double figures for WIU ending the day with 11. WIU had a 47-36 rebound edge with 22 offensive rebounds.