Game recap: Men’s basketball
12/29/21
Photo by WIU Athletic Communications
Missing the Mark
In a 92-71 road loss to the Big Ten powerhouse Iowa Hawkeyes, a troubling trend continued for the Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks. They couldn’t find the shooting touch that had boosted them to a 10-3 record over their first 13 games of the season. The loss in their final game of non-league play drops the Leathernecks to 10-4, and they will now look ahead to their conference slate.
Slow Start Spells Doom
A slow start in the first half was all it took to bury the Leathernecks. Iowa jumped out to a 20-point lead before halftime, and never looked back. A strong counter punch from Western Illinois slashed the lead down to 13 midway through the second half, but the hole they had dug for themselves proved too deep to overcome.
Defense, Defense, Defense
Coach Rob Jeter believes defense is what will get the team back in the win column.
“We’ve got to get our confidence back and that starts by grinding out a victory defensively, and I think that’s our key. If we can grind one out defensively that will help us.”
Take What They Give You
Although the game was a tough loss for Western Illinois, it was not without some bright spots. As a team the Leathernecks made all their shots from the line and won the second chance scoring battle. Western Illinois also won the turnover battle 12-9.
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