Recap: Eastern Ill vs. Western Ill

Charleston, IL (Sports Network) - Adam Link scored 15 points to lead the Western Illinois Leathernecks to a 57-45 win over their instate foes, the Eastern Illinois Panthers, at Lantz Arena.

Link was 4-of-5 from the field and made 7-of-9 free-throw attempts for the Leathernecks (6-3) who have now won three games in a row, all on the road. Ceola Clark scored 14 points and made six steals, while Terell Parks recorded 11 points, eight rebounds and six blocks.

Eastern Illinois (3-7) did not have a single player score in double figures as the Panthers lost their third straight game. Malcolm Herron led the team with eight points on a poor 2-of-8 shooting performance from the field.

Both teams struggled in the first half as the Panthers took a 27-20 lead into the break despite shooting 39.3 percent from the field.

The Leathernecks absolutely dominated the second half, outscoring Eastern Illinois 37-18 by shooting 58.8 percent from the field, including 4-of-5 beyond the arc.

Western Illinois, which outscored the Panthers 21-4 at the free-throw line, played well defensively, recording seven blocks and 11 steals as a unit and forcing the hosts into shooting just 3-of-16 from the perimeter.