MACOMB, Ill. -- Garret Covington scored 18 points, Jabari Sandifer added 11 with eight assists and seven rebounds and Western Illinois pushed past Alabama State for a 78-68 victory on Saturday night.

J.C. Fuller added 15 points with six assists and Mohamed Conde scored 14 with eight rebounds. Mike Miklusak contributed nine points with 10 boards for the Leathernecks (4-5).

Western Illinois used a 13-0 run sparked by three layups from Conde to push out to an early 19-4 lead. The Leathernecks carried a late surge from the first half into the second, grabbing their largest lead of 21 after a jumper from Covington with 18:10 remaining.

Alabama State (3-4) trailed by double digits the rest of the way until pulling within 74-65 with 2:05 left.

Luther Page and Maurice Strong paced the Hornets with 18 points and 10 rebounds apiece. Jamel Waters chipped in 14 points and six assists.