GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The University of North Dakota men's basketball team dropped its first home game of the season, falling to Western Illinois 65-62 on Saturday at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. Sophomore Jamal Webb (Buffalo, N.Y.) scored a career-high 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the setback, while classmate Josh Schuler (Urbana, Ohio) added a season-high 14 off the bench for the Sioux (3-2).

Webb's point production kept UND in the contest after the home team fell behind by 17 points in the first half.  He had eight points in a spurt that saw the Sioux outscore the Leathernecks (2-2) 16-2 in the closing six minutes of the first half. That run trimmed the home team's deficit to 29-26 at the break.

But, it was a sluggish start from the tip and a season-high 20 turnovers that ultimately cost the Sioux in this one. They made just four of their first 15 attempts from the floor before going 6-for-8 during that late stretch to get themselves back in it at halftime. 

WIU junior Terrel Parks scored a team-high 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to finish with a double-double for the visitors, who were the first team to beat UND on its home court in four tries this season.

“It's disappointing and what I'm disappointed with mostly is our lack of energy to start the game, especially through those first (14) minutes,” UND head coach Brian Jones said. “With that being said, I was impressed with … getting it back to a single possession game within the half, then having a chance to win the game at the end.”

Senior Patrick Mitchell (Des Moines, Iowa), who was held scoreless in the first half, came out firing after the break to tie the game at 29-29 with a 3-pointer on UND's opening possession. He would score all 12 of his points after the break as the Sioux would grab the lead twice in the second half. 

Their advantage was never more than a point, however, as Western Illinois would not allow the home team to build on momentum.

Schuler provided the latest lead for UND with a 3-pointer that made it a 48-47 contest with just under seven minutes to play, but the Leathernecks would score the next eight points over the next three minutes to build their advantage back to seven.

Webb and company had one last rally as they pulled to within a point at 60-59 with 24 seconds to play. A quick foul by Schuler put Tyler Tommie on the foul line where he made one-of-two. 

After a timeout, UND opted to go for the win at home as a 3-point attempt by Mitchell with six seconds to play rimmed in and out. Parks grabbed the rebound and made both free throws to push the lead to four at 63-59.

“It was great execution and a great look by Patrick and I thought the ball was in,” Jones added. “But, we can learn from this and that is what happens when you are coming off of a big win. That is what college basketball is all about. Each game is a grind.” 

Webb made those final six seconds interesting as he raced down and buried his fourth 3-pointer of the game, once again putting UND with a point. But, with only 1.2 seconds on the clock Tyler sank both free throws after being fouled this time and the Sioux could not get a potential game-tying 3-pointer off as time expired.

Ceola Clark III was the only other Leatherneck to reach double figures as he scored 10 points to go with a game-high nine assists. Both teams made 23 field goals in the contest as WIU had just one more attempt (54) than the Sioux (53).

Sophomore Troy Huff (Milwaukee, Wis.) distributed a career-high six assists for the Sioux. He also had five points and five rebounds.

 

UND will close out November at home on Wednesday with a tilt against Jamestown College at 7 p.m.

– Go Sioux –