MACOMB, Ill.- Savannah State rallied from a nine point deficit but fell short in a 55-51 loss to Western Illinois at Western Hall.

Trailing 50-41, SSU went on a 10-3 run to pull within two with 13 seconds left.

However the Tigers would get no closer as David Nurse hit two free throws for WIU with 10 seconds left.

SSU's Preston Blackmon missed a 3-point attempt with four seconds on the clock and Nurse grabbed the rebound.

The loss drops Savannah State to 5-11 while Western improved to 6-8. 

With the score tied at three, WIU put together a 20-6 run to take a 23-9 lead with 6:21 on the clock.

Down 29-19 at the half, SSU rallied in the second half with a 20-8 run to take a 39-37 lead with 9:51 remaining.

Western answered with a 13-2 run to go ahead by nine with 1:27 remaining.

SSU's sophomore duo of Rashad Hassan and Arnold Louis did the most damage to the Leathernecks. Hassan had 26 points and 12 rebounds while Louis added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Blackmon dished out eight assists. 

The Tigers shot 41.1 percent from the floor and won the rebounding battle 35 to 30.

Western shot 37.2 percent from the floor and were led by Ceola Clark's 23 points.