Redhawks MBB 'out-glassed' in OVC road loss

The Western Illinois men’s basketball team makes no pretense about what its plans are for its opposition.

The Leathernecks want opposing teams to shoot contested shots, miss them, and then have a Western Illinois player swoop in for the rebound.

That is precisely what Western Illinois did on Thursday in its 68-61 win over Southeast Missouri State in Macomb, Ill.

“In the first half,” fourth-year Redhawk coach Brad Korn said afterward, “we gave up 15 offensive rebounds (and) just shot ourselves in the foot.”

In total, the Redhawks (5-10, 1-2 Ohio Valley Conference) were outrebounded 50-33 overall and 23-14 at the offensive end of the court while Leatherneck post player Drew Cisse (a Missouri-St. Louis transfer) blocked six SEMO shots (the Leathernecks had eight blocks overall).

“We were getting (defensive) stops,” Korn said, “and then giving them second-chance opportunities. If it wasn’t for the offensive rebounds, who knows where that first half goes?”

To the Redhawks’ credit, they battled back after falling behind by 10 points in the opening half.

With just over eight minutes remaining in the game, SEMO junior wing TJ Biel drained a post move, which gave his team a 53-52 lead. However, Cisse then followed his own miss with an offensive rebound, which led to a Western Illinois (9-6, 2-0) lead that the hosts never relinquished.

“We were playing well,” Korn said. “We were getting stops, but we just gave the ball back to them on offensive rebounds and 50-50 balls that we didn’t come away with.”

The road loss was the seventh in as many outings for SEMO this season, who have all five of its victories in the Show Me Center.

For the Leathernecks, they have now won six consecutive games in Macomb, and are just a two-point loss to South Dakota shy of having won eight consecutive home games.

The SEMO loss dampened the strong play of Redhawk senior post Josh Earley, who finished with 18 points and five boards against Cisse in 24 minutes.

“That is what we’ve seen from Josh,” Korn said, “and that is what we have wanted more from him all season.”

It was just the third time in 13 games that Earley has scored in double figures.

Sophomore guard Rob Martin added 13 points and three assists in the loss on Thursday while Aquan Smart (nine points, four rebounds, three assists), and Adam Larson (seven points) also contributed.

The Leathernecks also took advantage of a 27-11 advantage in free throw attempts.

SEMO will return home on Saturday (3 p.m., ESPN+) against NAIA program Bethel (Tenn.).

Redhawk women win

Southeast Missouri State grabbed its first road and OVC victory on Thursday, as it topped Western Illinois 72-66 in Macomb, Ill.

The Redhawks (4-10, 1-2 OVC) were paced by Alecia Doyle (17 points) and Jaliyah Green (16 points).

SEMO used a 30-24 advantage in the paint while forcing 19 turnovers (and converting those into 20 points).

Indiyah Bowen added 14 points in the win.

The Redhawks will host Lindenwood on Jan. 11 at 5:15 p.m. at the Show Me Center.