SAN JOSE, Calif. — On Monday, Marko Maletic led Western Illinois to a narrow 59-55 victory over San Jose State, scoring 13 points and contributing five rebounds for the Leathernecks (1-0). Sean Smith also had a strong performance, chipping in 11 points with a shooting record of 5 for 10. He successfully made one of his five attempts from three-point range while also securing seven rebounds and providing seven assists. Ryan Myers finished the game with 11 points as well, going 4 for 11 from the field and hitting 2 of 8 from beyond the arc.

For the Spartans (0-1), Will McClendon and Josh Uduje each scored 13 points in an effort to challenge the Leathernecks. Donavan Yap added six points to the team’s total. In a tightly contested first half, Smith managed to score seven points, helping his team enter halftime down by just four, trailing 29-25.

As the second half commenced, Western Illinois surged ahead by taking control with a decisive 7-0 run that broke a 47-47 tie. This momentum shift allowed them to establish a 54-47 lead with just 3:31 left on the clock. Maletic was instrumental in sustaining this lead, contributing a significant 10 points during the second half.

Overall, the contest showcased a resilient performance by Western Illinois, overcoming their first-half deficit to secure the win. The game’s dynamics shifted significantly in the latter stages, highlighting the importance of clutch scoring and teamwork.