Western Courier|February 19th, 2018

Opinions: Marvel makes progressive moves with "Black Panther."

Opinions: Put an end to political discourse.

Sports: Necks take 10th conference loss.

Monday, February 19, 2018 - Vol. 118 Issue 57

VanBrooker elaborates on vertigo claim MACOMB POLICE DEPARTMENT

Charlis Wilson, 21, was arrested Thursday for possession of cannabis 30-500 grams with intent to deliver and possession of cannabis 100-500 grams.

By Nicholas Ebelhack editor-in-chief

McDonough County Sheriff Rick VanBrooker responded to reckless driving and DUI allegations on Friday, backing up his initial claim that he has vertigo.

VanBrooker, who responded to the allegations on Feb. 6, said that he had been to a doctor prior to the April 4, 2017 incident, in which a concerned citizen called the Macomb Police Department’s non-emer-

By Marc Ramirez assistant news editor

Today marks the second annual Dr. Jill Brody/McDonough Eye Associates Pre-Med Symposium at Western Illinois University, in the University Union Brattain Lounge.

Hosted by the Centennial Honors College, the event gives students in the College of Arts and Sciences an opportunity to find out more about the transition from undergraduate stud-

“”

gency number after he pulled into his driveway.

In his statement, VanBrooker said that the symptoms of vertigo match the description of the incident.

“Vertigo comes in many forms and lengths of duration,” reads VanBrooker ’s statement. “If one goes online and does a search for vertigo you will find a more detailed account. In one site (Emedicinehealth.com) one will find the following statements. If true vertigo exists symptoms include a sensation

of disorientation or motion.”

From the April 4 call, Vanb\ Brooker was described as disoriented and “glassy-eyed.”

Vertigo

ies to medical school. They also receive the opportunity to meet with various medical school representatives. Students will also learn about current medical

trends and topics.

"Western Illinois University has many outstanding Honors students who excel in biology, chemistry, nursing and health sciences,” said Rick Hardy, Centennial Honors College Director This event enables those students to explore the myriad of opportunities available in the medical profession by meeting face-to-face with medical school representatives and practitioners."

According to Alex Geisler, As-

sistant to the Director of the Centennial Honors College, the event wouldn’t be as successful if it weren't for the local practitioners, alumni, and medical school deans to assist and devote resources that make the event possible and successful.

“It really is an asset and great resource to our students wanting to emerge into the medical field,” Geisler said.

“”

“This even enables those students to explore the myriad of opportunities available in the medical profession” -Rick Hardy Centennial Honors College Director

“Vertigo comes in many forms and lengths of durations... if true vertigo exists symptoms include a sensations of disorientation or motion” -Rick VanBrooker McDonough County Sheriff

“The person may have visual disturbances, weakness, difficulty speaking, a decreased level of consciousness and difficulty walking,” reads VanBrooker ’s statement.

The caller said that VanBrooker nearly hit his truck, and that when asked if he knew where he was VanBrooker responded with “I’m just getting comfortable.”

page 2

Pre-Med page 3

Cannabis arrest made Thursday

By Nicholas Ebelhack editor-in-chief

Macomb Police Chief, Curt Barker, announced the arrest of Charlis Wilson, 21, of Wheaton, Ill. After finding 158 grams (5.6 ounces) of cannabis during a Thursday morning search on West Adams Street.

The Macomb/McDonough County Combined Drug Unit made the arrest following a search at 415 W. Adams St, Apt. 6 supplementing an investigation pertaining to felony cannabis possession and distribution in the community.

Wilson was charged with possession of cannabis 30500 grams with the intent to deliver and possession of cannabis 100-500 grams. He had previously been arrested in May of 2016 for possession of 30-300 grams of cannabis.

Wilson’s bond has been set at $1,000 cash, and his court date is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 28.

A second man was also arrested at the residence on suspicion for possession of a controlled substance. State’s Attorney Matt Kwacala, decided not to charge the man and was released from custody. The substance was later identified as Vyvanse, a stimulant similar to Adderall.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

2

Monday, February 19, 2018

NEWS

WesternCourier.com

Jimmy pierson/production manager

By Marc Ramirez assistant news editor

The McDonough County Public Transportation has officially announced the launch of Go West Transit on Google Maps.

Riders can now put in their location and destination into Google Maps and get a more accurate way to get there. Similar to getting driving directions, one can now choose the transit option and pick from the 17 different routes to find the best way to reach their destination.

“We are encouraging customers to try this exciting new feature out by simply entering the start and end points of their journey. Directions include walking to a specific bus stop, which route to take, where to get off the bus, and walking directions to a final

destination,” said Transit Director Nathan Cobb.

Go West Assistant Director Pete Hannen has been working to get routes and schedules updated with the Google Team to ensure efficiency for all riders. Hannen and the Google Team has also geomapped all 200 of the MCPT bus stops in Macomb.

Go West Transit serves over one million boarding customers annually, including students and residents of Macomb. By pairing with Google, McDonough County Public Transportation hopes to connect new riders and encourage current riders to use the new free tool to help ease the pain of traveling.

MCPT also believes traveling with Google Maps has additional benefits. One can now travel at their own leisure, no longer having to look through schedules and

timetables to ensure they leave and arrive to their destination on time.By entering your start and end point, Google Maps gives you exact directions with a estimated arrival and departure time, saving one from having to look it up on the Go West app.

It’s also believed to be very accessible since you can easily look it up on your phone, so no matter where you are, you can take a Go West bus back to your destination without having to look it up on

your laptop.

Unlike the Go West app, Google Maps also helps you get to your exact location, not only to the corner of where the bus takes you. MCPT also finds it helpful that you can now put in the name of a business and instantly find out how to get there rather than having to know the exact address.

In addition to this new way of figuring out how to get around, it also lets riders preview where they're going, whether its the destination or

THE DEEP HOLLOW Saturday March 3, 2018 7:00 pm

Tickets: online at TSPR.com By phone: 298-1873 or 800-895-2912 Tri States Public Radio Members—$10 General Public —$15 Canned good for local food pantry

WC Located on the third floor of the Heating Plant Annex on the south end of campus across from Sherman Hall.

Mail: 1 University Circle, WIU, Macomb, IL 61455 Phone: 309-298-1876 Fax: 309-298-2309 Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays E-mail: micour@wiu.edu Member: Illinois College Press Association, National Association College Press

STAFF MEMBERS editor-in-chief Nicholas Ebelhack NA-Ebelhack@wiu.edu assistant news editor Marc Ramirez MA-Ramirez3@wiu.edu opinions editor Ryan Zurek RP-Zurek@wiu.edu sports editor Devon Greene DJ-Greene@wiu.edu assistant sports editor Haley Richards H-Richards@wiu.edu edge editor Baylee Brynteson BM-Brynteson@wiu.edu copy editor Brie Coder B-Coder@wiu.edu proofreader Valerie Clemens VN-Clemens@wiu.edu

stop, Google provides images of each location with their street view options. This provides benefits like knowing if the stop has a bench or a covered shelter area from elements like rain and snow.

Google Maps also supports over 40 languages, which is beneficial to international students attending Western Illinois University or just foreign language residents.

This gives them the opportunity to receive directions and information in their native language.

proofreader Alexis Lowe AL-Lowe@wiu.edu proofreader Tacuma Venzant T-Venzant@wiu.edu photo editor Becca Langys RE-Langys@wiu.edu production manager Jimmy Pierson JM-Pierson@wiu.edu business manager Faith Rucker F-Rucker@wiu.edu advertising manager Patryk Mazur P-Mazur@wiu.edu adviser Will Buss WJ-Buss@wiu.edu

Tri States Public Radio Vallillo/Holtz Performance Studio 320 W. University Drive Macomb, IL

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Pre-Med from front page

Brody, her medical practice, and several current and former regional physicians all pull together donations that make the event possible.

The event begins at 4 p.m. with a medical school table fair. The fair will run until 6p.m. when President Jack Thomas will have some remarks and introduce keynote speaker Dr. Amy High.

Monday, February 19, 2018 High of Memorial Physician Services Women’s Healthcare in Springfield, Ill. is also an alumna of Western and the Centennial Honors College. High is not only on the medical staff of Memorial Medical Center, but also serves as chair of Memorial’s Department and Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition, she volunteers as a clinical faculty member at Southern Illinois University’s School of Medicine.

Following the keynote

address, the symposium will have an all-Western panel made up of physicians and practitioners of varying fields.

Brody, ophthalmology, High, obstetrics and gynecology, Jeffrey Liles of the Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, Dr. David Miller, internal medicine, Tom Stites, pharmacy and Dr. Michael Waters, family medicine, will all be in attendance to answer questions any potential medical students may have.

NEWS 3

Vertigo from front page

“I have served McDonough County for 11-and-a-half years now and am proud of what has been accomplished at the Sheriff’s Office,” reads VanBrooker ’s statement. “It is unfortunate that I would need to discuss my medical issue in public, but unfortunately accusations have been put forth in the heat of a political campaign. I hope this will help set the record straight.”

VanBrooker also accompanied his statement with a letter from Dr. Curtis C. Farr of the Springfield Clinic in Macomb, who VanBrooker said had known about his condition before the incident.

“I am writing in regards to my patient, Richard VanBrooker,” Farr said. “He is a 56-year-old gentleman with a history of vertigo.

This does occur intermittently and without warning. His symptoms resolve spontaneously in just a few minutes.”

These responses came after a claim from former State’s Attorney James Hoyle, who accused VanBrooker of driving under the influence of alcohol, and the McDonough County Sherriff’s department for covering up the incident.

Hoyle posted on his Facebook page, calling for an investigation into the incident, which quickly circulated amongst community members, in addition to audio files of the citizen’s call describing VanBrooker and Chief Deputy Nick Petitgout calling the operator who put VanBrooker ’s name out over the radio.

Petitgout, who some say is sarcastic or chastising in

his demeanor during the call, responded that he was shocked to hear VanBrooker ’s name over the radio that day.

“My reaction was simply one of surprise,” Petitgout said on his McDonough County Sheriff Campaign Facebook page. “The conversation ended there. I want to make it clear that the dispatcher did nothing wrong.”

These allegations and responses came a month before the McDonough County Sherriff elections, in which there are three candidates running as republicans. Petitgout, McDonough County Sheriff ’s Office Detective, Justin Lundgren, and Operations Warden for the Canton Illinois, Bryan Baca, have all released statements since the allegations were made.

“The law should apply to everyone equally, and the department should have the public’s trust,” Lundgren said in a statement to Tri States Public Radio. “But politicizing the allegations of misconduct by the Sheriff or the Chief Deputy, at this point, would be inappropriate. It could develop into an ongoing investigation and I’m not going to politicize that.”

“The McDonough County Sheriff and that department should not have been handling that call,” Baca said in a statement to Tri States Public Radio. “As soon as they found out it was the sheriff it should have been diverted to handle. That way there wouldn’t be this tenor of wrongdoing so to speak.”

The three candidates will meet Tuesday at the Macomb High School Library at the League of Women Voter ’s forum on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. before the March 20 election.

NOW HIRING! Assistant News Editor Assistant Photo Editor News Editor

Positions compensated with salary and tuition wavier Contact Nicholas Ebelhack for more information na-ebelhack@wiu.edu

Monday, February 19, 2018

4 OPINIONS

Anybody who has been paying attention to the current state of affairs in America will have noted that there are several large, looming issues facing this country. Global warming, gun violence and a broken healthcare system dominate political discourse as the most serious threats to the US. But the most serious issue is not one of these.

The most pressing problem in American society is a more insidious, less visible one that silently creeps its way into just about every political discussion in the country, hampering solutions to other problems and widening the massive, ever-expanding political chasm that marks today’s two-party politics.

This isn’t a Republican problem, nor is it a Democratic one. It doesn’t belong to the millenials, the gen Xers or Baby Boomers. It’s belongs to everyone, including myself. What I’m talking about is this country’s sickly addic-

tion to new kind of politics, a kind of politics not focused on policy and problem-solving, but focused on competition, displays of strength, and beating the other side.

Political debates are competitions where complex ideas are simplified, watered down, and framed in a way that will appeal to the lowest common denominator. Politicians, pundits and average Americans don’t discuss issues on how to work together as a country to solve a crisis, but rather put everything in terms that allow them to blame the other side, fire up their own base or just stroke their own ego.

In the light of the most recent school shooting, debates have sprung up on television and Facebook about gun control. But rarely are these debates handled in a way that allows for nuance to come into play. For instance, in the comments section of one Facebook post on my feed,

someone wrote, “I would completely OWN this idiot debating this topic.”

Take a look at some of the assumptions behind this comment. First of all, it’s fairly easy to imagine this comment coming from either side of the gun control debate, or any other political debate. It reflects a sentiment held on both sides of the aisle, that debate is something to be won, that if you present a strong enough argument and make the other person look like a fool you have walked away with a victory.

This is absurd. “Winning” a Facebook argument, or listening to your favorite pundit making fun of a sound bite from a politician you don’t like aren’t going to bring this country any closer to having sensible gun control legislation, reducing carbon emissions or lowering the national deficit. What this complex problems require is carefully considered debate geared towards finding a solution to a problem, considering multiple perspectives. This is hard to do. It requires patience, empathy, self-restraint, and the ability to listen to understand. In other words, it’s

Letter to the Editor

Governor Rauner apparently mixed up his holidays for release of his FY2018 budget because obviously his proposal was better meant for April Fool’s than Valentine’s day.

He has got to be kidding.

He proposes to offload more costs on local governments further shortchanging our schools that are already confronting serious funding challenges. The main issue is the governor ’s plan to shift staff pension costs from the state to our school districts. This plan would force our communities to come up

with more local money (yes, even higher property taxes) just to keep our school budgets balanced. This takes place at a time when school costs are going up and as we struggle to attract and retain quality teachers and administrators because of low salaries and declining benefits.

Every public school district in rural Illinois struggles to find the funding that we need to give our kids a first class education. I hear that from parents, staff, teachers and administrators wherever I go in the 93rd District. We need top quality schools not

only to educate our kids but to help reverse decades of population loss and economic stagnation. Governor Rauner ’s proposal is a cruel joke on rural communities that deserve better.

I’m running for State Representative because this district needs new leadership, new ideas and a new voice for rural areas like ours. I’ll stand for budgets that reflect the right priorities for our region, starting with our local schools.

John Curtis State Representative Candidate

WesternCourier.com

simply easier to trash the other side.

This mindset is rampant in actual politics as well.

You don’t have to look very far to see the effect of hyper partisanship on Congress’ ability to act. Many politicians are less concerned with governing and finding solutions, and more concerned with appeasing to their base and sticking to party lines.

Take a look at the presidential debates. Debates are solely about exciting your own base, and sneaking in a zinger that puts the other guy in their place. Long gone are the days of policy junkies discussing the efficacy of different strategies.

But politics and Facebook arguments aren’t the only places we see this tendency.

National media networks are guilty of this too. Shows such as CNN’s crossfire, or Fox & Friends debate in this way. Arguments are always framed as having exactly two sides, which are diametrically opposed. There is no room for nuance, or third positions, and even the positions that are shown are stripped of all context and reduced to sound bites.

Perhaps this is a product of a 24 hour news cycle, where controversy must be stirred up to produce a story that attracts enough audience members. But I think it runs deeper than that. The problem isn’t some deep-state Big Brotheresque situation where evil news conglomerates control the way debates are presented so that we can never reach an actual solution.

The reality is that we are addicted to bad debates. We love

it, and we can’t get enough, and the media is simply giving us want we want. It feels fantastic to call a conservative a backwater idiot while your liberal friends cheer you on. There are few things as satisfying as calling out the liberals while defending traditional American values.

What’s harder, and nowhere nearly as satisfying is reaching out and taking time to understand the perspectives of people you disagree with.

It’s incredibly uncomfortable to hear a black person talk about how racism has affected their lives and how white people are very privileged in this country. It’s inconvenient to patiently explain to someone why global warming is real and why they should be concerned about. Doing all of this is so hard, many people decide not to even try discussing politics at all, and abandon the topic altogether.

People grow up in this country learning that politics is a taboo, and that it’s polite to not talk about it. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Talking about politics in a productive and respectful manner is incredibly difficult, but instead of running from this, we need to face it head on, and start discussing America’s problems with the goal of fixing them, not assigning blame. There are millions of liberals, millions of conservatives and millions of independents in this country. None of these groups are going to go away overnight. What we need to do is learn to live with each other, and discuss issues in a way that’s focused on solutions, not divisiveness.

E4 EDGE

Monday, February 19, 2018

For the times

WesternCourier.com

they are a streamin’ JIMMY PIERSON

We live in the midst of a technological revolution, but is that a good thing?

The innovation of transmitting media and the invention of smart phones has made the world a much smaller place, and helped pioneer an entirely new medium of entertainment.

In order to truly understand how significant the time we live in, we must rewind to the early 20th century.

In the year 1926, a Hungarian engineer first developed the “scanner” tubes. This enabled a moving image to refresh itself constantly across a screen.

This eventually led to the first live transmission of television over the airwaves when President Harry Truman made is Japanese Peace Treaty speech in September of 1951.

The revolution of this magnificent technology created a booming market in live televised game shows, soap operas, and most significantly, sports.

Fast-forward 56 years to 1997, two California men started a DVD rental business: Netflix. They specialized in mailing the disks directly to customers’ houses, the first of its kind.

Netflix would only continue to lead the world in innovations when they announced their streaming service in 2007, conveniently when Apple announced the first iPhone.

While Apple and Netflix started their respective revolutions, other companies jumped on the streaming bandwagon.

Hulu and Amazon Prime both compete with Netflix in streaming, while Samsung and Google lead the market, behind Apple in smart phones.

Today, Netflix offers streaming services in over 190 countries and on almost every device.

It is safe to say that Netflix changed the way the world watches TV and is that a bad thing?

To answer that, we have to revisit the invention of the television. Before the trans-

mission of moving images, radio was it. The “Golden Age of Radio” was in the 1920s and offered many services to the American People.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt broadcasted his “Fireside Chats” daily to inform American Citizens of their condition during the war, and “Little Orphan Annie” was the number one listened-to program in the 1930s and 40s.

Then, along came TV and radio quickly lost its monopoly. While it was detrimental to the radio industry, it offered a change and advance in media transmission.

New jobs were created, new equipment was developed, and, of course, “news” became visible. Sound familiar?

When the world was introduced to the smartphone, and streamed their first episode

of “Friends” on the Internet, no one seemed to bat an eye.

In the same way as TV, Internet streaming is the new way to view live broadcasts, and is quickly on the rise.

Services such as SlingTV, DirecTV, HuluTV, and YouTubeTV, all offer monthly packages of live streamed television.

These are accessed, and paid for, the same way Netflix is offered.

The age of TV seems to be on the decline, and broadband streaming is becoming the norm, simply because it’s more easily usable and cheaper.

A thing that was once new is now becoming obsolete.

That seems to be the way things go.

Appropriately in the words of music legend Bob Dylan, “And the first one now will later be last, For the times they are a-changin.’”

Want to write for EDGE? Contact bm-brynteson@wiu.edu

E2 EDGE

Panther from E1

T’Challa (Black panther) is preparing for his coronation day, which includes a potential challenge -- through ritual combat -- from any of Wakanda’s five tribes, as well as a sacred ceremony in which he officially becomes the nation’s Black Panther.

After he takes the throne,

intelligence surfaces that notorious arms dealer Ulysses Klaue has stolen a vibranium artifact from the British Museum T’Challa takes his top warrior and goes to defeat Klaue, but soon finds out he wasn’t the one after him but also an old enemy who want him dead.

Overall this movie was a superhero drama like no other with amazing actors.

The movie came out

Monday, February 19, 2018 Thursday night and made $25 million from that night alone. The movie was such a success because of its great storytelling told by director Coogler and writer Joe Robert Cole.

It’s also one of Marvel’s top superhero movies because of its powerful acting and story line. The actors that were chosen for this film were well known people who fit best for the

role they took on.

“Black Panther,” an adaptation of the iconic comic book, proves to be more than worth the wait.

“This lush, impressively well-acted film, about an African king learning how best to marshal the superpowers with which he’s been endowed, comes draped in anticipation, not only from hard core fans of the source mate-

WesternCourier.com rial, but also from film goers already steeped in breathless hype.”

Said Ann Hornaday.

(Washington post) Many people thought of this movie as making history.

“After half a century in the pages of Marvel Comics, the Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) finally gets his own movie. “ said Walt Disney Pictures.

JIMMY PIERSON

Another Valentines Day has come and gone, which means that another “50 Shades of Grey” movie is set to take over the theatres. This is one the guys can come too as well.

Yes, the movie does have the usual sex scenes, but focuses as a drama/action movie.

If you haven’t seen the movie yet and would not like any spoilers I would stop reading now.

As you may remember, the last movie ended with Christian Grey officially proposing to Anastasia Steele with all of Christian’s friends and family over for his birthday.

“50 Shades Freed” picks

up with the wedding ceremony and goes straight into their honeymoon.

Their honeymoon was interrupted by none other than Mr. Jack Hyde.

For those who may not remember, Hyde was Anastasia’s boss before he threw himself onto Ana at work and was soon fired. Hyde managed to get into Mr. Grey’s office and get files about him and his family, then set a fire to try and hide his tracks.

With Mr. and Mrs. Grey back in the states, they soon realize that the first few months of their marriage is not what they thought it would be.

The honeymoon stage lasted

much like the other movies, with many sex scenes. Except this time, Hyde and an accomplice are out to hurt the Grey’s.

Christian had to leave for business, which left Ana home with her bodyguards.

Ana was supposed to go straight home after work because of all the scary instances going on recently.

But, being who Ana is, she disobeyed Christian.

She missed her friend Kate and wanted to go have a drink with her. After they left the bar and came home Ana found herself being held captive by Hyde who had snuck into her house while she was away. Lucky for Ana, her bodyguards captured Hyde and saved Ana. Later in the movie Hyde was set for bail, which Ana was nervous about. Which led her to the bathroom in the Courthouse getting sick.

Write For EDGE Contact

bm-brynteson@wiu.edu

For us girls, we knew right away that this wasn’t just sick to her stomach. She goes to the doctor because she missed her birth control shot, and finds out she is pregnant.

Ana told Christian and he was not happy at all. He left and when he finally came home he was drunk and handsy. When Ana got him into bed she grabbed his phone and set it next to the night stand where she saw he was with Elena (Ms. Robinson).

This took Ana, Christian and the viewers on an emotional roller coaster. Trust me don’t go watch this movies if you get caught up in the love lives of fictional characters.

Don’t worry though, the movie ended beautifully. The Grey’s made up and lived happily ever after.

There was a flashback

montage of the previous two movies showing how they met, their first kiss, sailing on the boat, getting married and many other big moments in their relationship.

The movie ends in the red room, as it should. As credits start to role and people start to leave another scene pops up with Christian running in the yard with their little boy and shows Ana pregnant again but happy with her loving family.

During the movie you see car chases, another proposal, vacations, love, and hate.

The movie lasts around an hour and forty-five minutes, but leaves you wanting more.

The Grey’s had their highs and lows but leaves girls saying #goals on their Instagram’s. With this being the most recent “50 Shades” movie, what will next Valentine’s Day consist of?

E3 EDGE

Monday, February 19, 2018

WesternCourier.com

The Doctor is

a time lady?

JIMMY PIERSON

Evan Williamson

staff writer

On July 16, 2017, history was made as the BBC announced the 13 incarnation of The Doctor.

For the first time ever the title character would be played by a woman. Doctor Who is the longest-running science fiction series in television history with 840 episodes.

Doctor Who started in 1963 and since then the character of The Doctor has been a household name. The Doctor is an alien from the planet Gallifrey, who travels throughout space and time in a police box (TARDIS).

As a Time Lord, the Doctor is able to regenerate upon death. This plot device was created when the first Doctor, William Hartnell was no longer able to play the character due to his health. Since then there have been many different portrayals of the Doctor.

In the Lore of Doctor Who it had been established that a Time Lord could regenerate 12 times, but when Matt Smith (the 11th Doctor) was leaving the show. They found a way to restart his regeneration cycles.

When Jodi Whittaker was

announced as the 13th Doctor it got a mixed reaction. Some people thought it was awesome and they looked forward to seeing what it was going to be like.

While others did not like it because they said the Doctor should be male like always.

Many of which stated that Doctor Who was getting too politically correct and it will be the end of the series.

I’m actually excited about the prospect of the Doctor being a female. The Doctor has been male his whole life over 2 thousand years.

I think being a woman for the first time will cause some awkward and comedic moments.

Some people have the belief that Time Lords can’t change their sex when they regenerate. But if you look at some of the clues that have been

given throughout the last few series (seasons) of Doctor Who you would see that it’s not that surprising.

The first clue that a Time Lord could potentially turn into another sex was Matt Smith’s first appearance as the doctor.

On the Doctor Who New Years Day Special episode: The End of Time, he had just regenerated and was getting a feel for his new body he says, “Legs, I’ve still got legs, good. Arms, hands, ooh, fingers, lots of fingers. Ears, yes, eyes too. Nose, I’ve had worse. Chin, blimey.

Hair... I’m a girl! No, no! I’m not a girl. And still not ginger”.

There have been other indications that a Time Lord could change sex. In a six-minute special, leading up to the 50 anniversary special, the eighth doctor was allowed to

choose the appearance of his next incarnation.

A female was one of the options but he stayed a male. The Doctor also mentioned that he had a friend that went through at least two female incarnations.

There were other indications most notably when the Master (the Doctor’s nemesis) returned as Missy, short for Mistress.

This was also met with some criticism.

Jodi Whittaker made her debut as the Doctor on the Christmas special this past Christmas.

The new season will begin in late 2018 with ten episodes on BBC America (in the States).

The possibility of how a Time Lady will interact with others and how she will interact with things from her past is an exciting prospect that I for one am really looking forward to.

What the Western Courier is watching Nick Ebelhack

Bayless Bryntenson

Jimmy Pierson

Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Return

Black Mirror

Veep

Ryan Zurek

Marc Ramirez

Brie Codaz

We Bare Bears

Arrested Develpment

This is Us

Monday, February 19, 2018

By: Jasmine Yates The movie "Black Panther" was a redefining moment in the history of Marvel Comics and the African American community. Black Panther sets the stage for African American movies and plays to come. Set mostly in the fictional African nation of Wakanda, the movie features not only the first mostly black ensemble cast in superhero-film history, but also an all-female royal guard and a brilliant female engineer. The film was centered around the Black Panther who was an African prince turned king.

Cont. on E2

Monday, February 19, 2018

@WesternCourier

OPINIONS 5

Letter to the Editor

My names is James L. Hoyle and I served as McDonough County’s State’s Attorney for 12 years (2004 to 2016). In that time, I became very familiar with all three candidates for McDonough County Sheriff. I have worked successful cases with all three candidates as officers.

I know their weaknesses and strengths. They are all qualified and well trained, despite subtle differences in their work experience and specialties. As the next sheriff, their leadership skills and character are going to be the most important and this where I see the big differences in these three candidates. Leadership skills, character and ability is why I am supporting Bryan Baca for the next McDonough County Sheriff.

While Justin Lundgren has been effective as a deputy, his

time in a leadership role was plagued with personal issues and professional issues. Ultimately, he was demoted from his chief deputy position and he has lost the support of many friends in the department. He also worked on behalf of the present Sheriff to try to sabotage the prosecution of various methamphetamine cases being handled by the Macomb Police Department during my tenure.

Nicholas Petitgout was moderately effective as a deputy and investigator and slightly more effective as an administrator.

However, he was prone to tirades and fits when promoted at such a young age. I have personally watched him berate staff and I have countless examples of him mistreating State’s Attorney staff.

These unprofessional mo-

ments were often predicated on him not getting his way either from the State’s attorney’s staff or the Court. He is just not seasoned enough for the rigors and pressures that occur at the top spot. I also cannot forget one case that plagues me where he and the Sheriff lost a confession of a suspected arsonist during a motion to suppress because they didn’t follow proper procedures during and interview. Finally, I have recently listened to a 911 dispatch recording of Petitgout chastising a dispatcher and trying to cover up an emergency call about the Sheriff driving drunk. He should be investigated and asked to resign because of it. It is an unforgivable lapse of judgment.

As for Bryan Baca, I have known him all my life. I know him as a family man, a

veteran, a police officer and in various positions within the Illinois Department of Corrections. His current position is Operations Warden at the Illinois River Correctional Center. He manages a facility with over 2,000 inmates, nearly 350 employees and a budget that dwarfs the McDonough County Sheriff’s budget.

Running a small department like the McDonough County Sheriff will be easy for him in comparison, as McDonough County has ten percent of the employees and 30 inmates on average. Long before being an administrator he was a canine handler in the military and in corrections. As a certified K-9 trainer, he volunteered for free on multiple occasions to help our local K9 handlers get Illinois certification. This was a time

when the courts were not accepting federal certifications and causing us problems in court. He saved many cases for us and was given an award by the McDonough County Sheriff.

As a full-time corrections employee for 25 years, he also worked part-time for various police departments, including Blandinsville and as the temporary Chief of Police in Augusta. Bryan Baca’s experience in patrol, K9 handling and administration makes him my choice over two other worthy candidates. Also, I believe the Department could use a fresh face and a perspective to eliminate the current bad blood and factions within the department.

He also has no baggage to bring to the office.

James L. Hoyle Macomb, Illinois

ing to you.

First, wash your hands. It is okay to use hand sanitizer sometimes, but please make sure you wash your hands multiple times a day! Think of all the things you touch that others have touched as well.

Door knobs, elevator buttons, railings on the stairs, and no one knows how often everyday things are cleaned off. I am not what people would call a germaphobe, but when

it comes to my health I want to do everything I can to ensure I do not get sick.

Second thing I would suggest is a vitamin called Echinacea; it is made specifically to boost your immune system. I have been taking this vitamin on and off for the last few years and it has done miracles. I only take it when someone close to me is sick or if I start to feel sick. It is very helpful and it works. The benefits of this vitamin are amazing and it only costs $4 at Walmart.

Believe me, I hate taking vitamins just as much as anyone else does, but I hate being sick more.

The next thing I would rec-

ommend is to eat healthy! I am sure that everyone has heard “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but any fruits and vegetables will do the trick.

When your body feels good you are less prone to sickness. It’s easy to eat a salad here and there and give up junk food! I am not saying to cut everything unhealthy out of your life. It is still okay to enjoy some chocolate, just eat more fruits and vegetables!

You will thank yourself later!

Lastly I would stress that getting enough sleep is very important for your health as well. As college students, it might be hard to get eight hours of sleep every night. We

all have different schedules, and we all know how many hours of sleep is a healthy amount, but without it your immune system becomes weaker if it is exposed to sickness. So go to bed at a decent time and maybe take a nap if you have time.

I realize that these are things that we’ve heard of our entire lives, but with the awful flu season we have had, it is important to do everything we can to stay healthy. Not only for your health, but for others too. We should all make these adjustments in our daily lives.

Stay healthy and be aware of your surroundings, flu season is almost over!

Don't get sick this flu season

Does anyone else feel like sickness is everywhere? No matter where I go on campus I see people coughing, sneezing, blowing their nose, etc. These are all the signs of someone being sick. If you are that sick person, please stay home. No one else wants to catch your germs, and get sick. It is not fun for any of us.

But if you do encounter someone who is sick, here is how you can prevent that happen-

Editorial Policy The editoral views of the Western Courier shall be confined to this editorial and are to be separate from news coverage otherwise noted. The editoral presented is based on the ideas and views of the WC editoral board.Columns are the opinions of the columnists alone and should not be construed as the opinions and beliefs of the WC staff as a whole.

Letters & Local Forum Policies E-mail letters to the Editor and Local Forum messages to micour@wiu.edu.

Letters should not be more than 350 words in length. The author’s name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Failure to include such information will lead to the letter being discarded. The WC staff will edit letters in cases of timeliness, obscenity length and grammer, and we do not guarantee publication of all letters.

2018 Spring Semester Editorial Board Editor-in-Cheif - Nicholas Ebelhack Edge Editor - Baylee Bryntesson Opinions Editor - Ryan Zurek

Monday, February 19, 2018

6 SPORTS

WesternCourier.com

Basketball

GOLEATHERNECKS.COM

Marrisa Purdum extends in her 400-free relay.

Swim

from back page

The school holder in the 200-IM was McQuigg, who won the B-final with 1:53.73. The women’s 200-

free relay team of Purdum, Hagen, Roberts, and sophomore Allison DeWane mastered a second best time in program history with 1:37.28, and a fifth place overall.

On day three of the championships (Feb.16), Bladel, Kudela, and sophomore Connor Owens each landed top-10 finishes in their competitions. Bladel swam for a 50.34 mark in the 100-back prelims, recording a second-best time in the event and in school history, and an eighth place finish. Kudela’s 200-free was the tenth best time in Western’s history. His time was at 1:42.54, placing in ninth. Owens came in at 57.77 in the 100-breast, placing him in twelfth in the meet, and eighth-best of any Leatherneck from the all-time school record.

In the women’s 400-medley relay, Winkel, Hagen, Mathus and Purdum

made third best in school history, and fifth-fastest at the meet with a time of 3:53.35. For the men’s 400-medley relay, Bladel, McQuigg, Almhiemid, and Brady came in 4th at 3:20.73.

The final day of The Summit League Championships on Saturday, ended on a high note for all the swimmers, including Hagen. She became the first Western Illinois women’s swimmer since 2010, to finish in the top three.

Hagen raced her way to a third place finish in the 100-IM at 57.84. She later competed in the 200-breast with a time of 2:27.15; with a thirteenth place finish. Sophomore Amy Borgstede had an eighth-best mark in program history in the women’s 200-fly with 2:11.30.

The women’s 400-free relay with Mathus, DeWane, Roberts and Purdum set the third-best time in school history (3:33.50).

For the men’s division, Owens 2:02.94 time in the 200-breast was the third best of all time for any Leatherneck swimmer, which earned him fifth place at the Championships.

Freshman Garret Kemp had a

fourth-fastest mark in the 200-fly with a time of 1:53.20. This time is also the fastest for any Western swimmer historically.

The men finished in fourth with 367.5 points, and the women finished in 5th with 219 points.

Head cocach Greg Naumann was impressed with how the compeition went, yet saw some things that he’d like for the team to improve on for next year. “We had a decent meet,” Naumann said. “It was really good for us when compared to our season times, but not quite as fast as our lifetime best swims. I would have been more excited about the team being able to have more lifetime best swims, but I think a good chunk of the blame should rest on my shoulders. There were a couple of things that we did down the stretch that we can change for the future, but that knowledge didn't really help is at conference. The team did an awesome job of fighting each and every session. We did have more swimmers get going as the meet progressed, and I thought that we did finish well.”

CLASSIFIEDS

WC

For Rent

For Rent

Submit a classifieds ad to Micour@wiu.edu

1 & 2 bedroom apartments, new $250 signing bonus on 10 and 12 month leases. Two blocks from campus. Bus stops nearby. Free water, garbage and parking. Laundry onsite. Clean, well maintained and secure. Call Ted 309-837-5600 or visit markertrental.com.

Spacious 2-5 bedroom homes for rent. 10 month lease available. Great locations, close to bus stops, plenty off street parking, all new windows, AC, energy efficient furnace, hardwood and ceramic tile floors, free washer/dryer. Well maintained (24 hrs.) by local landlord.

Call 309-255-1233.

Houses for Rent 2016/2017: A&D Real Estate has several 3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses for rent, all with at least 2 bathrooms, recently rennovated and located close to campus. Call for a tour or visit our website at www.wiucollegerentals.com. Local landlord with a focus on clean and updated housing with personal service for your college housing needs. 309-313-1122.

FALL INTO SAVINGS with Charleston Boulevard Apartments! Now offering SPECIAL RATES through Dec. 2017! Call for specific details 309-833-4545!.

NICE, CLEAN, WELL MAINTAINED 1 TO 6 BEDROOM HOUSES FOR 2016-2017 Our houses have hard wood floors, ceramic tile, central air, washer and dryer and are close to campus with plenty of parking. We offer a ten month lease so you don’t pay for the months you aren’t here. Please call 309-255-1959 for a showing.

Now showing for 2017 & 2018 year 2, 3, and 5 bedrooms homes all close to campus. Call 309-331-4565.

Westen Investments has only two 4-Bedroom brich houses available. Call our office at 309-833-5995 to schedule a showing! We will show to 2-3 person groups as well!

.

from back page As the second half progressed, the Leathernecks did not lose steam and continued to score at a steady rate.

Unfortunately, the Leathernecks did not give up hope; they still continued to fall behind even further, past the point of being able to take the lead again. The game ended with a final score of 62-82.

The Leathernecks now have an overall record of 11-14, and a conference record of 2-10.

Leading the Leathernecks offensively during the second half of this game was Johnson who earned 15 points. Following Johnson was

senior guard/forward Dalan Ancrum who earned six total points for the Western.

Gilbeck earned yet another block for the Leathernecks during the second half of this matchup, making him the defensive leader for Western.

The Leathernecks only have two more conference games left for their 2017-2018 season. As the standings show, Western will most likely not achieve their overall goal of getting more wins and earning a higher ranking in The Summit League than they did in previous years.

The Leathernecks will take on the North Dakota State Bison this Thursday in Western Hall at 7:00 p.m.

Twitter: beccalangysxo

Dalan Ancrum puts up a shot over a defender.

LARGE STUDENT RENTALS 5 and 6 Bedroom Homes are still available!! Ask for our $1000.00 Discount program! Firsrt come first serve for the last large homes that are open for the fall.

NICE, CLEAN, WELL MAINTAINED 1 TO 6 BEDROOM HOUSES FOR 2017-2018 Our houses have wood floors, ceramic tile, W/D, central air, and are close to campus with plentry of parking. We offer low rent and a 10 month lease to save you money! Call 309-255-1959 for a showing.

Small 1BR apt near campus and downtown. All utilities included. (Electric, Water, DISH, Garbage) $500/month, $300 deposit. Available immediately. Also have 2BR, you pay electric. $600/month, $350 deposit available September 1st. Please contact 309-255-4367 for a showing.

CLEAN, REMODELED, AND WELL MAINTAINED HOUSES AND APTS FOR RENT IN GREAT LOCATIONS. UTILITIES PAID FOR APARTMENTS. RENTING NOW FOR FALL 2017.

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Timbercrest Apartments 1587 Riverview Drive Now showing 1 & 2 Bedroom Units. Very clean, close to WIU campus with bus stop in front of building. Washer/dryer available in most units, all other appliances included, FREE INTERNET, ceiling fans in every room, pet friendly. All units have off street parking and private decks overlooking campus. Both 10- and 12-month leases are available. Openings for Summer 2017 and school year 2017/2018. Deposit required. Phone (309)833-3192 and leave message.

Westen Investments has just one 3-Bedroom ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED (Water, Sewer, Trash, Gas, Electric, and Internet) Apartment left! That’s right you just pay for rent, and the rest of it is on us! Call our office at 309-833-5995 to check it out.

Looking for 2 roommates to share a 3-bedroom furnished house beginning in August for 2018-19. 10- to 12-month contract. New carpet, air, garage w/ storage, laundry. $300 each per month, plus utilities. Call Sharon at 309-338-3888.

GOLEATHERNECKS.COM

RATES $5.50 per issue (open rate) $4.00 per issue (campus rate)

For Rent Available now: Close to campus, clean studio apartments, excellent condition, reasonable rent, and partly furnished.

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Semester leases offered. Call 309 837 4369 and leave your phone number if not there. Email: MandKhousing@gmail.com ALL APARTMENTS - ALL INCLUSIVE Get control of your budget. Know exactly what you are spending each month. Each apartment includes free a/c, free heat, free electricity, free water, free cable tv, free hi speed internet, and free off street parking. Laundry on site.

No noise policy. Bus stop across the street. Close to campus. Well maintained. Studios are $460/mo, One bedrooms are $620/mo. Call Doug at 309-255-8179 for an appointment.

Westen Investments still has affordable 1-4 Bedroom Apartment/Houses available. Be sure to check out our website (www.westeninvest.com) to see our available listings, and call our office at 309-833-5995 to schedule a showing. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to win prize giveaways!

APARTMENT FOR RENT: FOR QUIET PERSON. ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT FOR RENT LOCATED AT 314 West Carroll ST Macomb, Ill 61455. Available end of August 2017-new carpeting yearly lease SMALEST FURNISHED IN MACOMB $345.00/month - HEAT & AC INCLUDED private entrance, off-street parking included call for appointment309-837-4748 or 255-5075 woodburning fireplace, ask for Paul.

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Sports 7

Monday, February 19, 2018

@WesternCourier

Marching towards March Madness

Finally, college basketball fans are nipping at the heels of the best month of the year.

We are just a couple Sundays away from Selection Sunday, and seeing who is in and who is out. However, there are already teams that are under the radar who are ready to shock the world.

The typical perennial power houses like Kentucky, North Carolina, and UCLA are all seemingly irrelevant to win a national championship this season. Kentucky is barely ranked, North Carolina will not be able to repeat, and UCLA is shipping their players to Lithuania. This sets the stage for my sleepers to come make their own Final Four run.

The four teams that I believe will end up in San Antonio and play in the Final Four are Duke, Xavier, Michigan State and Oklahoma. I understand that the bracket is not even out yet, and a lot of things have to fall into place for these teams to end up on the right parts of the bracket to make this work, but these teams fit the storyline to make a run.

Duke is a scary team down the stretch. They have lost a couple games lately, but they have a young star in Marvin Bagley who will be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA

draft, a seasoned veteran that has a lot to prove in Grayson Allen and the most winningest coach in Duke’s history. Allen has already won a national championship as a freshman and he knows how to win on the biggest stage. They will be a team that I pick to take back to Durham.

Xavier is going to be the team with a chip on their shoulder.

Last year they were an 11 seed in the tournament and made a run to the Elite 8 and were bounced by Gonzaga. Now, the Musketeers are ranked 4th, but nobody is giving them any credit or really a chance to win the tournament. Xavier is going to make a run that their program has been on the brink of for the past decade.

The next team is my favorite to win it all. To fight through all the rounds of the tournament, you have to get hot at the right times, and that is just what the Spartans are doing.

Michigan State has won ten straight games and are ranked 2nd in the country, behind the University of Virginia. They also have one of the best forwards in the NCAA in Miles Bridges and one of the best coaches in college basketball with Tom Izzo.

I also think that the scandal going on right now will be fuel to the fire for the Spartans. The

Big Ten powerhouse has a lot of issues going on right now dealing with the Larry Nassar scandal, which will either help or give them extra motivation or it could be a distraction to their squad. March will help us see what the Spartans are made of.

Lastly, I think Oklahoma can make a run. The Sooners have not been playing well, but they have the best player in the country, Trae Young. Young is a lights out shooter that is literally a threat the second he steps across the half court. The Sooners have fallen down the ranks and are twenty-third right now. Young and the Sooners have to figure it out before their conference tournament or they will be in trouble.

The Final Four is not why we love March Madness though; fans love March Madness for the upsets and Cinderella stories that happen every single year.

Watch out for North Carolina State and Alabama.

NC State has taken down UNC, Clemson and Duke. They will be a low ranked team, if they make the tournament, but they do not shy away from playing top tier competition.

Alabama is a gritty team that is well coached. Avery Johnson has coached Collin Sexton to be one of the toughest players in the country and it will show in March. They have knocked off three ranked teams already, and one of those teams being Oklahoma. Alabama is a football school, but they will be this years Cinderella team for hoops.

Miles Bridges goes up to block Dewan Huell.

WIKIMEDIA.COM

Softball unable to find a win on the road

By Haley Richards

assistant sports editor

Payton Abbott prepares to field a ball.

ANGELICA STRACK/ COURIER STAFF

Boiling Springs, N.C.— The Western Illinois softball team hit the road this weekend to play in their second tournament of the season. Gardner-Webb University hosted the tournament and the four teams participating were GWU, Eastern Illinois University, Western Carolina University and Western Illinois University.

The Purple and Gold were unable to find a win this weekend and fell to 2-7 overall on the season.

The Leathernecks started their series on Friday against Eastern Illinois and lost by a score of 6-1.

It was a slow start for both teams with no runs being scored until the third inning. The Panthers held the Purple and Gold to no hits until the fifth inning.

Freshman pitcher Abby Carlin was able to connect the bat with the ball and singled through the left side of the infield.

However, Western remained scoreless until the sixth inning when junior pitcher Payton Abbot hit a single to center field.

Sophomore fielder Halle Hollatz

also hit a single to the left side of the field. Following the two hits, Abbot advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and was brought home by a single from senior outfielder Sam Ralphs.

The second game for the Purple and Gold was also on Friday and Western Illinois fell to Gardner-Webb 6-0. The Runnin’ Bulldogs got an early lead with one run in the first inning. They then got two more runs in the fourth inning and another three runs in the sixth inning. Although scoreless, the Leathernecks had some opportunities with players on base but unfortunately those runners were left stranded.

The tournament continued on Sunday where Western was set to play both Western Carolina and Gardner-Webb.

The Leathernecks lost to the Catamounts of Western Carolina 1-0. There were no runs scored until the sixth inning. Once again, the Purple and Gold had no trouble getting players on base but just were not able to get the runners home. Junior pitcher Megan Lotarski had quite the game. She recorded seven strikeouts in six innings, with

five hits and one earned run.

In their second game of the day, Gardner-Webb defeated Western Illinois 10-1. The Runnin’ Bulldogs had a strong start and scored six runs in the first inning. The Leathernecks were able to get a run in the third but it was not enough momentum to get them the win.

The tournament concluded on Sunday with another game against Eastern Illinois. The Purple and Gold fell by a score of 4-0. The Panthers got the early lead scoring two runs in the first inning and then closed the game with another two runs in the sixth inning. Junior pitcher Emily Ira had two strikeouts in the second inning and Hollatz lead the team with two hits on the game.

Next up for the Purple and Gold is the UTC Frost Classic in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Western Illinois will compete against the University of Tennessee at Martin, Western Michigan University, Alabama State University, Southeast Missouri State University, and the University of Evansville.

The tournament will be next weekend, Feb. 23rd-25th.

Monday, August 21, 2017

Hagen shines at championships

By Brie Coder copy editor

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The Western Illinois University swim and dive teams concluded their season at The Summit League Championships last Wednesday through Saturday. Men finished fourth in team competition and women finished up in sixth. The four day competition had many highlights for both individual and group competitions.

On Wednesday (Feb. 14), sophomore Brennan Bladel set a record for Western in the 200-free during his 800-free relay lead . Bladel sprinted to a 1:39.54 mark in the 200-free, beating the program record by nearly a full second. He also teamed with junior Joshua Hill, and sophomores Isaiah Pihlstorm and Phillip Kudela for a 6:47.91 total time that was recorded as the third-best in school history. The men’s team came in fourth overall.

Another third-best and fastest in school history came from the women’s 800-free relay from freshmen Marissa Purdum and Amanda Schaefer, and sophomores Miranda Mathus and Casey Roberts. The Purple and Gold finished with a time of 7:50.79, earning themselves

a fifth place finish.

There was one more team competition from both the male and female Leatherneck teams on day one of the Championships. Both teams placed fifth in the 200-medley relay. The first team was Mathus, Roberts, sophomore Madison Chao, and freshman Erica Hagen with a time of 1:46.75. The men’s team consisted of Bladel, and freshmen Chance McQuigg, Samir Almhiemid, and Seth Brady. They came in at 1:32.35.

Thursday (Feb. 15) started off with another new record from Purdum in the 50-free with a 23.95 mark. She beat the original school record by one millisecond. In the finals, her 24.17 time placed her in eleventh for the second day of the championship. In the women’s 100-fly, Mathus had a fifth-fastest record in school history with a time of 57.84.

Bladel also set another new time record in the 100-fly with a 49.72 mark, making it the second fastest time in school history. Almhiemid also swam his way to a 49.96 mark in the 100-fly, which placed his newest time as the fourth-best in school history.

Swim page 6

Erica Hagen emerges for air during her relay.

VISUAL PRODUCTIONS CENTER

Necks drop another conference matchup

By Becca Langys photo editor

Brandon Gilbeck gets past a defender in the post.

FILE PHOTO

BROOKINGS, S.D.- The Western Illinois men’s basketball team took on the South Dakota State Jackrabbits this past Saturday. The Leathernecks took their 10th conference loss of the season, putting them in last place in The Summit League as they draw near the end of the 2017-2018 season.

The Jackrabbits started the game off strong, being the first team to put points on the board during this Saturday matchup.

Western quickly began putting points on the board as well, but always ended up just below the threshold of passing up the Jackrabbits during the first part of this matchup. Sophomore guard C.J. Duff was the first Leatherneck to put points on the board for Western.

Following Duff’s successful shot, freshman guard Isaac Johnson who put four more points on the board for the Leathernecks, putting them just two points behind the Jackrabbits.

As the first half of this game progressed, the Leathernecks began to fall behind at a greater velocity than before, allowing the Jackrabbits to increase their lead as the time wound down. South

Dakota State ended the first half of this matchup with a 38-23 lead over the Leathernecks, putting Western in a bad position to start the second half of the game.

During the first half of the matchup, the Leathernecks were led offensively by Duff who earned a total of seven points for the Leathernecks. Closely following Duff was Johnson and junior guard Delo Bruster, who earned five points for the Leathernecks.

From a defensive perspective, junior center Brandon Gilbeck earned one block during the first half of this game.

As the second half of this matchup began, the Leathernecks had a hefty point-deficit in which they needed to step up their game in order to overcome.

Western started off the second half of this matchup with a successful three-point shot from Johnson. Johnson’s shot was not enough to spark a Leatherneck rally, however. South Dakota State quickly picked up the pace and continued to score on Western. They ran with their previous lead, making it difficult for the Leathernecks to make a comeback.

Basketball page 6