SAVANNAH, Ga.- Leading by two, Western Illinois used a 10-1 run early in the second period to extend their lead to 40-29 and went on to defeat Savannah State 59-52 in Tiger Arena.

SSU answered the Leathernecks runs with a 13-6 spurt to get within 46-42 with 5:06 remaining but could get no closer.

Western Illinois built a 10 point cushion but SSU cut it to 53-48 with 1:57 left on a 3-pointer by Jovonni Shuler.

Savannah State (1-1) only made one field goal the rest of the way while Western Illinois went 5 of 6 from the free throw line.

Shuler had a career-high 22 points to lead the Tigers while Preston Blackmon chipped in 11 points and three assists. Joshua Montgomery added five rebounds.

In the first half, the game was tied at 12 but Western had a 9-2 spurt to go ahead by seven with 6:33 on the clock.

SSU was able to tied the game at 21 apiece with 4:50 left thanks to a jumpers from Montgomery and Blackmon and a 3-pointer from Richard Conner.

After Western received a layup and free throw from Matt Lander, Shuler knotted the score at 24 with 1:18 remaining.

Western went into the half with a 26-24 advantage after David Gebru made a layup with one minute left in the period.

Ceola Clark led Western (3-0) with 22 points while Lander added 15.

Western shot 52.8 percent from the floor while the Tigers shot 38.6 percent while making 10 turnovers.