FRIDAY'S SCORES
@Eastern Illinois 87, Calumet College of St. Joseph 57
@Western Illinois 96, East-West University 49
EASTERN ILLINOIS 87, CALUMET SAINT JOSEPH 57
CHARLESTON, Ill. - Eastern Illinois used a key 18-1 run midway through the first half as the Panthers pulled away for a 87-57 win over NAIA member Calumet Saint Joseph in front of 2,839 students from local schools during Kid's Day at Groniger Arena.
EIU had three players finish in double figures with Zion Fruster and Nakyel Shelton each scoring 19 points. Kooper Jacobi added 15 as the third Panther in double figures.
Antonio Buckley tied the game at 13-13 making one of two at the foul line with 11:14 to play. Blake Goodman scored on a put-back basket for EIU as the Panthers rolled off the next 15 points to build a double digit lead.
Rasmus Westerlund snapped EIU's run making one of two at the line for the Crimson Wave as Shelton capped the Panthers big first half run with a 3-pointer with 4:51 to play in the first. Brian Gatewood scored on a lay-up with 4:32 to play to end the Calumet long field goal draught.
EIU led 39-18 at the break. The Panthers shot 51.6 percent in the second half scoring 48 points to improve to 3-6 on the season.
EIU had a 50-18 points in the paint advantage with nine of the Panthers eleven players in uniform scoring in the contest. Lazar Grbovic led the EIU reserve group with eight points and four rebounds.
WESTERN ILLINOIS 96, EAST-WEST 49
MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois Men's Basketball picked up a win over East-West University at Western Hall on Friday night by a score of 96-49. The Leathernecks' overwhelming performance was highlighted by Sean Smith's second straight game recording a triple-double finishing with a stat line of 10 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. Smith becomes the first player in OVC history to record a triple double in back-to-back games.
From the opening tip, Western Illinois asserted control with a strong 43-point first half. Their offense operated seamlessly, with Smith orchestrating plays and showcasing his versatility. Whether it was finding open teammates, pulling down boards, or finishing at the rim, Smith's impact was evident on every possession. The guards dominance on the glass was especially pivotal, as he helped the Leathernecks out-rebound East-West 65-19, ensuring second-chance opportunities and limiting their opponent's scoring chances.
Smith's triple-double was a testament to his all-around excellence and was achieved without forcing plays, reflecting his high basketball IQ. He contributed to a fast-paced offense that capitalized on East-West's turnovers and converted them into points on the break. Smith's ability to push the ball in transition added to the Leathernecks' 14 fast-break points.
Complementing Smith's performance was a balanced scoring attack. Marko Maletic led all scorers with 24 points, including six three-pointers, while Julius Rollins added 20 points and controlled the paint alongside Kayden Carter, who shot a perfect 6-for-6 from the field. Tay Knox and Kiyron Powell also played pivotal roles in maintaining Western Illinois' dominance inside, combining for 21 rebounds.
Defensively, Western Illinois suffocated East-West, holding them to just 49 points on 31% shooting from the field. Smith and his teammates tallied 7 blocks and 3 steals, disrupting any rhythm the visitors tried to establish. The Leathernecks' defensive intensity translated into offensive efficiency, as their 21 assists underscored their unselfish play.