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Leathernecks wrap up season's longest homestand this week

March 13, 2008 on 9:50 pm | In Athletics |

MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois wraps up its longest homestand of the season this week as UMKC (8-14, 3-6) and Southern Utah (5-15, 3-6) visit on Thursday and Saturday. Both teams enter this week with identical 3-6 records in The Summit League, and this week’s matchups will be important for those fighting to land in the upper-half of the league standings.

UMKC has won three of its last five contests, splitting games against Centenary (win) and Oral Roberts (loss) last week at home. Southern Utah is coming off a split at home last week, defeating Centenary but falling to Oral Roberts. The Thunderbirds have lost five of their six conference games since defeating Western Illinois in Cedar City, Jan. 3.

Western Illinois (9-11, 4-5 The Summit League) vs. UMKC (8-14, 3-6)
Thursday, January 31, 2008 Macomb, Ill.
Tip-off: 7 p.m.
Arena: Waste Management Court at Western Hall
Web: Summit League video Live video
Live Stats: www.wiuathletics.com
Radio: Western Sports Network (Michael Jones-play by play; Arlen Britton-color analyst) Live audio
Series: UMKC leads 24-12

Western Illinois vs. Southern Utah (5-15, 3-6)
Saturday, February 2, 2008 Macomb, Ill.
Tip-off: 7 p.m.
Arena: Waste Management Court at Western Hall
Web: Summit League video Live video
Radio: Western Sports Network (Michael Jones-play by play; Arlen Britton-color analyst) Live audio
Live Stats: www.wiuathletics.com
Series: Southern Utah leads 15-8

Game Notes
7-3 Record at Home
Western Illinois has amassed a 7-3 home record this season, winning five of their last six. Oakland snapped the Leathernecks’ five-game home court winning streak last Saturday.

Jackson Nearing School’s Division I Scoring Record
Senior David Jackson needs 49 points to surpass Garrick Vicks (1993-96) as Western Illinois’ Division I scoring leader and rank 10th on the school’s all-time scoring list.
His 272 points this year give him a career total of 1,300, which ranks 11th in school history.
10. 1,348 Garrick Vicks 1993-96
11. 1,300 David Jackson 2004-pr.

The Southern Utah Series
Southern Utah handed Western Illinois a 73-60 loss in their meeting earlier this year, but Western Illinois has won five of the last six meetings in Macomb. The Leathernecks lead 8-3 at home, but have an 8-15 record in the overall series.

The UMKC Series
The Leathernecks snapped a 16-game losing streak to UMKC earlier this season in Kansas City. Western’s 69-62 victory was the first win over the Kangaroos since 1999. UMKC still leads the all-time series, 24-12, but has an 8-9 record in Macomb. Western won the first nine meetings in Macomb, but has dropped the last eight.

Holding Opponents Under 70
The Leathernecks are 9-2 when allowing less than 70 points this season, and are 0-9 when allowing 70 or more points.

IPFW’s 50 Points is Season-Low for Leatherneck Defense
The Leathernecks turned in their best defensive effort of the season last week, holding IPFW to 50 points - the lowest output of any opponent this season.

Rebounding Edge Equals Victory… Usually
The Leathernecks are now 8-1 when outrebounding their opponent, with their one loss coming to Oral Roberts. They are 1-10 when getting outrebounded or matching their opponents’ rebound total.

First Half of League Schedule is Best Since 1997-98
The Leathernecks have finished the first half of The Summit League schedule with a 4-5 record, already recording more conference wins than each of the last two seasons. This year, the Leathernecks compiled the best first-half record since 1997-98, a year they started 6-0 and finished 11-5.

Jackson is Go-To Guy at the Wire
In the last three minutes of games this year, David Jackson has shot 56.7 percent from the floor and converted 22-of-24 free throw attempts.

Johnson Provides Season-Highs vs. Oakland
One game after matching season highs in points and rebounds, Louis Johnson recorded new season bests of 12 points and six rebounds against Oakland. In 19 minutes of work off the bench, Johnson was 5-of-5 from the field.

DuBois Records Second Double-Double
David DuBois recorded his third double-double of the season, notching 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win over IPFW. The first double-double of his career came with identical numbers against UMKC. He has scored 10 points in each of the last two games.

Originaly from Source