Box Score

Macomb, Ill. (January 2, 2002) - The Southeast basketball Indians dropped their ninth game of the season Wednesday night to the Leathernecks of Western Illinois 82-75. This was the second loss of the season to Western Illinois as the Leathernecks defeated the Indians 71-58 December 1 at the Show Me Center.

Southeast (2-9) fought neck-and-neck with WIU (8-4), for most of the first half trailing by only one at 19-18 with seven minutes left. The Leathernecks, however, on the strength of a 17-6 run, moved their lead to as much as 12 points, eventually closing out the half up by 11, 36-25. Western shot 42 percent for the half, while limiting the Indians to 30 percent.

The Indians would cut the lead to seven with 11:40 left in the second half, but that that was short-lived as the Leathernecks used a run 11-1 to move the lead to 19 points. Southeast, however would go on a 20-7 run to cut the lead to six, but they couldn't get any closer as Western's Brian Williams hit four late free throws to seal the win.

Southeast was led in scoring by freshman Bret Hale who poured in 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists, going 5-9 from the field, 2-3 from behind the arc, and 5-6 from the free-throw line. Junior Tim Scheer and freshman Derek Winans both scored 15 points apiece and junior Drew DeMond had 11.

Western was led in scoring by Quentin Mitchell with 17 points. He hit 5-10 from behind the arc for the contest. Cory Fosdyk had 12 points, while Karl Petersen Brian Williams both had 11 points. Johnny Johnson had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the lone double-double of the game.

Southeast starts the OVC schedule as they travel on Saturday to Charleston, Ill. to take on the Panthers of Eastern Illinois. Tip-off is slated for 7:10 p.m.