West Central Reporter

Western Illinois Men's Basketball team achieved a significant victory against Eastern Illinois, securing a 75-67 win in the Ohio Valley Conference. The game took place in Charleston and was marked by an impressive performance from Marko Maletic, who scored 25 points, including seven three-pointers. Sean Smith also contributed with 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists.

Head Coach Chad Boudreau commented on the importance of the win: "It's hard to win on the road in this league, so picking up a road win today is huge for us heading into next week with two home games." He encouraged fans to support the team at Western Hall during their upcoming games.

The Leathernecks began strongly, leading 37-29 at halftime due to effective offensive strategies and defensive pressure that resulted in nine turnovers by Eastern Illinois. Overall, Western Illinois forced 12 turnovers throughout the game.

A decisive moment came midway through the second half when Maletic and Smith led a 12-4 run that extended their lead. Ryan Myers played a key role by scoring three three-pointers in the last ten minutes, helping maintain their advantage.

Western Illinois' bench added 13 points to the team's total score. Defensively, they recorded seven blocks and six steals. With this victory, Western Illinois improved their season record to 8-7 overall and 2-2 in conference play. They will face UT Martin next at Western Hall on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.

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