Western Illinois Defeats North Dakota State to Increase Lead in Summit League
By Jovan Alford
Mar 6, 2012; Sioux Falls, SD, USA; Western Illinois Leathernecks forward/center Terell Parks (43) against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the first half of finals of the 2012 Summit League Tournament at Sioux Falls Arena. Jackrabbits won in overtime 52-50. Mandatory Credit: Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Tonight in the Summit League there was a huge game between the Western Illinois Leathernecks and the North Dakota State Bison. The Leathernecks came into tonight’s game as the conference leaders with a 18-5 overall record and a 10-2 conference record. For the Bison, they came into tonight’s game with a 19-6 overall record and a 10-3 conference record.
This was a very low scoring game as both teams would only combine for 39 points at the half. Then in the 2nd half, Western Illinois would erupt for 32 points while North Dakota State would only score 14 points. The Leathernecks would go onto win tonight 49-36.
The reason why Western Illinois pulled off the victory was because of senior forward/center Terell Parks who on the season is averaging 12.8 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Tonight, Parks had 13 points and 15 rebounds. 14 of those rebounds came on the defensive end.
For the Bison, they could not get the offense clicking as it was inept for the whole game. They would shoot only 28.3 percent from the field and 7.7 percent from the three point line. Their leading scorers in the game only had 10 points. The Bison bench would only contribute five points.
The loss shakes up the conference as Western Illinois extends its lead while North Dakota State now falls behind South Dakota State, which got a huge win tonight over IUPUI, 82-45.
For Western Illinois the war is not over as they could possibly wrap-up the conference on Saturday but they will have to beat South Dakota State at Frost Arena. Remember the Jackrabbits were in the NCAA Tournament last season so they know what it takes to win the conference.
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