The Western Illinois men’s basketball team excelled on the court, shooting an impressive 58 percent from the field in a commanding 83-58 win over SIUE on Wednesday, November 29th. Head coach Billy Wright praised the team’s performance, stating that they were in sync for most of the game.
Highlighting the enjoyable nature of the game, Wright emphasized the team’s commendable play. Webster extended the lead to 75-40 with 6:30 left on the clock by sinking a crucial three-pointer.
Offensively, Kobe Webster impressed with a 62.5% shooting percentage in the second half, contributing significantly to the team’s strong performance. Leading with 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists, Webster was a standout player. Johnson added 20 points, while Gilbeck narrowly missed a double-double with 10 points, six blocks, and nine rebounds.
Wright commended Brandon Gilbeck for his impactful presence on both ends of the court, describing him as essential to the team’s balanced attack. Acknowledging the challenge of guarding Gilbeck, Wright emphasized the difficulty of defending against the team’s well-executed plays.
Western Illinois took an early lead of 9-2, guided by Johnson and Gilbeck, and effectively countered SIUE’s offensive pressure to secure the victory. Ben Pyle also contributed significantly, scoring consecutive three-pointers that forced an early timeout for SIUE.
