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WIU Grabs Historic Victory at No. 17 Wisconsin

November 14, 2015

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From WIU Athletics

Western Illinois Grabs Historic Victory at No. 17 Wisconsin
The victory marks the men's basketball program's first-ever win over a ranked opponent

MADISON, Wis. – The Western Illinois men's basketball team played the role of spoiler in Madison Friday evening (Nov. 13) as the Fighting Leathernecks topped No. 17 Wisconsin, 69-67. Prior to the game, Wisconsin celebrated its historic 2014-15 season by raising its Final Four banner inside the Kohl Center.

WIU's victory over No. 17 Wisconsin marked the program's first-ever win over a ranked opponent in the program's history, and was The Summit League's fifth road win over a ranked opponent in the league's history. The win also marked the first against a ranked Big Ten program on the road in the league's history.

"I'd like to start off by saying it was a tremendous honor and opportunity for us, and we are very grateful for the opportunity," said head coach Billy Wright. "We talk about how it's not who you play, it's how you play. I thought our young men did a great job of maintaining their composure against a very well-coached program. Tough environment and I'm very happy we were able to come out winning."

The entire 40 minutes was a back-and forth affair as there were a total of 11 ties and 10 lead changes in the contest with Wisconsin's largest lead, eight points, coming with four minutes left in the first half. Western's largest lead came with 6:24 left in regulation. The Leathernecks never trailed during the final 8:30 in the game, leading the majority of that time and only allowing Wisconsin to tie the game once.

Western scored the first five points of the game and battled with the Badgers back and forth before Wisconsin grabbed its largest lead of the game at the 4:03 mark of the first half. WIU kept it close for the rest of the first half and trailed 44-37 at the break.

Like the first half the Leathernecks came out firing in the second, scoring the first seven points and tying the game at 44-44. The next seven minutes were tight before the Leathernecks went on an 11-1 run and took their largest lead of the game, 64-56, with under 10 minutes to play in the game.

The Badgers slowly chipped away at Western's lead until they knotted things up 67-67 with two minutes to play.

The next 1:50 was scoreless until junior Garret Covington knocked down two free throws that would prove to be the difference as Wisconsin's Bronson Koenig missed a game-tying jumper as time expired.

"Obviously I'm thrilled for our program – shed a few tears of joy. I think it's something that can help us moving forward. It's my first road win, someone pointed that out. With all we went through last year as a program, for those kids to not give up and not quit, our motto is all in and play hard, play smart, play together, all for one and one for all. Tonight we did a great job of demonstrating that philosophy," concluded Wright.

J.C Fuller led all scorers with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field, and 4-of-4 from long range. He also added five rebounds, two assists and a team-best two blocks.

Covington and Jabari Sandifer also scored in double figures, adding 16 and 12 points, respectively.

Covington scored 14 of his points in the second half when he connected on 5-of-9 shots during the final 20 minutes. He, along with Sandifer, also led the team in assists with three each. Sandifer also grabbed a team-best seven rebounds in the win.

Freshman center Brandon Gilbeck contributed six points and six rebounds in WIU's winning effort.

As a team, WIU shot 54.0 percent (27-50) from the field compared to Wisconsin's 35.5 (22-62).

The Leathernecks also had more assists than the Badgers did, 11-8.

Western (1-0 overall) will look to take its momentum into Sunday's home-opening game. The Leathernecks play host to Hannibal-Lagrange at 5 p.m. inside Western Hall.

GAME NOTES: The win marked head coach Billy Wright's first road win as a head coach… The last time the Leathernecks beat a power conference team was in 1994 against Big Ten member Northwestern in Macomb… WIU also defeated Northwestern in 1990… Western now owns a total of three wins over Big Ten teams… Prior to tonight's game Wisconsin had won each of its last 13 regular season opening game, and was 210-22 (.905) inside the Kohl center under head coach Bo Ryan heading into the game.

Posted By: WIU Athletics (SID@wiu.edu)
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