West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University's men's basketball team faced a setback in their recent game against Eastern Illinois University, suffering a 71-59 defeat at Western Hall. This loss marks the seventh consecutive defeat for the Leathernecks, who now hold an 8-14 overall record and a 2-9 standing in the Ohio Valley Conference.

The Leathernecks struggled offensively during the first half, managing only 19 points while Eastern Illinois built a substantial lead. Despite finding their rhythm in the second half with a 40-point effort, Western Illinois could not overcome the early deficit.

Ryan Myers, Trey Deveaux, and Massal Diouf each scored 14 points for WIU. Diouf also contributed three blocks to his team's efforts. Myers added five rebounds and two assists to his performance, while Deveaux was close to achieving a double-double with nine rebounds.

Sean Smith reached a personal milestone by scoring his 1,000th career point during this game. He finished with seven points and four rebounds and became the third player from WIU this season to achieve this scoring feat.

Defensively, WIU showed potential by blocking five shots and forcing Eastern Illinois into committing 12 turnovers. However, their own turnover count of 12 and difficulties shooting from beyond the arc (3-for-15) hindered their chances of mounting a successful comeback.

Looking ahead, Western Illinois will attempt to break their losing streak when they host Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Saturday at Western Hall. The game is scheduled to tip off at 3:30 p.m.

For further updates on Leatherneck Basketball, fans are encouraged to visit GoLeathernecks.com or follow them on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.