TUESDAY'S SCORES
@Valparaiso 73,
Western Illinois 66
VALPARAISO, WESTERN ILLINOIS
VALPARAISO, Ind. - The Western Illinois men hung around for the entire game, but in the end, Valparaiso was able to defend its home court, topping the Leathernecks 73-66 on Tuesday in Indiana.
The Leathernecks (2-3) took a six-point lead midway through the first half, but a 10-Valpo run gave the Beacons a lead they would not surrender.
It was a highlight reel night for Drew Cisse and Jesiah West as the duo were strong in the paint. Cisse had his first double-double as a Leatherneck, scoring 13 points and grabbing 14 boards. West looked right at home near the bucket as well, scoring a team-high 19 points. James Dent Jr. was also in double figures, adding 15.
The Beacons were able to get out to an early lead, extending the advantage to seven, 34-27 at half. Turnovers were key as Western miscues assisted Valpo's scoring.
But in the second half, Western Illinois fought back. A Braden Lamar basket and a Dent Jr. three followed by a thunderous dunk by Cisse gave the Leathernecks a 48-42 lead with just over 12 minutes to play.
Unfortunately for WIU, Valpo sprung to life, going on a 10-0 run that started a back-and-forth finish as the game remained a one-possession contest.
A 12-5 Valpo run allowed the Beacons to pull away, keeping the Leathernecks at a safe distance over the final five minutes.
Western Illinois went 25-59 (42.4 percent) from the field, 11-14 (78.6) from the line and 5-19 (26.3) from three for the game while Valparaiso went 26-55 from the field (47.3 percent), 14-20 from the line (70.0 percent) and 7-16 from three (43.8 percent).
Western out-rebounded Valpo 40-27 and outscored the Beacons 34-24 in the paint, but the Valpo bench made the difference, outscoring WIU's reserves 41-8. The Beacons also forced 15 Western turnovers, leading to 21 points.