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Jackson

February 9, 2008 on 9:10 pm | In Athletics |

MACOMB, Ill. - Senior David Jackson poured in 23 points as Western Illinois defeated South Dakota State, 75-52, recording its largest conference victory since a 24-point win over Chicago State on February 9, 2002.

The Leathernecks (7-8, 2-2 Summit) took their third and final lead of the game at 8-6 when James Washington converted a three-point-play with 12:27 left in the first half. After a pair of free throws by the Jackrabbits (6-10, 1-4 Summit) David Nurse converted a three-point-play of his own, along with a pair of three-pointers from Chris Gonzalez, completing a 9-2 run over 3:14, to give Western an 18-10 advantage. The lead grew to as many as 11 at 28-17. SDSU sank the final bucket of the half with 2:03 to cut the lead to 28-19 going into the break.

Western held a slight edge in rebounds at the break, 20-19, six of which came from Gonzalez, which tied a career high. The Leathernecks shot 37% (11-of-30) from the floor, which included 33% (2-of-6) from beyond the arc. The Jackrabbits struggled to find their stroke in the opening frame as they shot 27% (7-of-26) from the floor and 14% (1-of-7) on three’s. Tight defense from Western had much to do with the shooting woes for SDSU in the first half.

“That is what we want our identity to be,” said Western Illinois head coach Derek Thomas of the defensive effort. “If we can come out and guard, and then get some easy baskets on the other end, we feel like we have a chance to be in every game. Hopefully our guys are recognizing that is who we are.”

To start the second half, Western hit a pair of buckets to stretch the lead to 13, 32-19. South Dakota State then rallied off five straight points to cut the deficit into single digits. Jerryck Owens-Murrey answered with a layup at the 17:54 mark, to give the Leathernecks their double-digit lead back. The Jackrabbits came no closer than nine points, with 3:54 left. Western closed by scoring 15 of the game’s final 16 points.

The second half saw Jackson come to life after having eight points at the break. The senior made six shots from the floor and was a perfect 3-for-3 from the line after halftime. On 10-of-21 shooting, Jackson moved into a tie with Todd Hutcheson for 11th place on Western’s all-time scoring list with 1,228 career points. Tonight was the third 20-point game of the season for Jackson.

“If we are going to be good, he has to be an all-league player,” said Thomas of his senior guard. “He can’t be an honorable mention or close to an all-league player. That’s what good teams have, someone who can step up and do it every night. We feel like we have some good support guys who can step in and do some great things.”

Joining Jackson in double-figures was Washington with 15. Owens-Murrey added 10 points which marked eight-straight games in double-digits for the senior forward. Garret Callahan led the attack for the Jackrabbits with 12 points.

“They have two really good scorers and it’s hard to keep them down,” added Thomas. “David Jackson and David DuBois did an outstanding job on defense. You have to give them credit though because they kept scrapping and scoring.”

Western finished off the game with a 38-30 advantage on the glass, allowing just 11 second-half rebounds for SDSU. As a team, the Leathernecks shot a season best 95% (19-of-20) from the free throw line.

“Winning is starting to breed a little confidence,” Thomas said of Western’s four wins in its last five games. “We have preached it enough that we have to jump on people, we have to throw the first punch. We know right now that if we guard people and hit free throws, we’re going to be in a lot of games. If we can continue to do that, it will keep us in good shape.”

The Leathernecks stay in Macomb for a match up with North Dakota State. Tip is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, January 12, as a part of a doubleheader with the women’s team.

Originaly from Source