MACOMB, Ill. - Senior all-America candidate Zane Teilane broke Western Illinois' all-time rebounds record as she helped the team to a 109-38 win over Illinois-Springfield with 18 points and 10 rebounds.Western Illinois (7-2) held Illinois-Springfield (2-11) to single-digit scoring for the first nine minutes of the game for a 27-9 lead. The Prairie Stars broke into double-digits with a lay-up from Miesha Hill to cut Western's lead to 16, 27-11, with 10:50 to in the half, but Western Illinois used a 31-8 run to end the first half with a 58-19 lead.Western kept the scoring going in the second half, outscoring Illinois-Springfield, 51-19, en route to the 109-38 win."We kept good intensity throughout the game," said head coach Leslie Crane. "In this type of game, it is easy to lose intensity. We talked about the situation as we watched Ohio State play, and focused on how their team was able to keep the same intensity throughout the entire second half when we played there. We did a good job of keeping intensity tonight."Western Illinois shot 59.2 (42-71) percent from the field and held UIS to just 25.5 (13-51) percent shooting from the floor. Western scored 39 points on the Prairie Star's 26 turnovers and outscored UIS, 38-8 in the paint. Western Illinois also won the battle of the boards, 51-24.Senior Samantha Greer led all players with a career-high 19 points in 19 minutes to go along with Teilane's 18 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, five blocked shots and four steals. Freshman Nicole Myers also recorded a pair of career-high with 16 points and seven rebounds.Hill led Illinois-Sprinfield with 10 points.Western Illinois will play its final non-conference game of the season when it heads to Wisconsin on Friday, December 23 to take on the Badgers in Madison. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Western Illinois Postgame QuotesHeach coach Leslie CraneOn Western's defense:"We were able to work on differnet defenses. We added some new defenses today with a match-up zone."On playing after finals week:"This was a good game to come back after finals. We cut down on practice time this past week in order to allow the players to focus on school, whic his where their focus should be."On the underclassmen's effort:"We have to get experience for our young kids. I was pleased with how we shot the ball. We kept up the intensity, with a few lulls, but overall they did pretty well. I am very proud of them. Our younger players are progressing.""We have talked about the importance of consistency. The freshmen have to put good practices together every day, back-to-back.""Of the younger players, Amanda Walker put some good minutes in today. She kept the ball under control and shot the ball well. Jameka McElroy and Nicole Myers both had good games. They are playing within themselves and did a nice job rebounding."On the bench:"We have a good quality bench that comes in, we just need to work on consistent intensity."
Senior Samantha GreerOn Western's post game:"This was a good chance to work on our post game. We were able to look high/low, get the ball inside and then pass it back out to the guards."On first game in more than a week and helping underclassmen adjust:"We have tried to teach the younger players to keep intensity, keep their heads up and try not to get stressed out. This was good opportunity for us to run new things, get back on the court and help our younger players get ready for conference."
Freshman Nicole MyersOn playing with more confidence:"After talking with Coach Crane this week, I have realized I am capable of doing things I just have to do it in games. Practicing against Zane (Teilane) makes it easier in games playing against shorter opponents."On adjusting to Division I basketball:"The biggest adjustment I've made this year has been being more confident mentally and learning everything new."
Western Illinois Game Notes:- Western's win against Illinois-Springfield extended the nation's longest home-court winning streak to 43 games.- The 109-38 win was Western's first 100-point game since a 101-51 win over Columbia College during the 2002-03 season. Western is 12-1 when scoring 100 points in game.- Senior Zane Teilane broke Western's all-time rebounds record, set by Tiffany Cornelius (733, 2000-04), with 10 boards, raising her career total to 743 rebounds.- Teilane's 18 points raised her career total to 1,215 points, moving her up to eighth on Western's scoring leaders list. She is currently 10 points shy from tying Carol Anderson for seventh (1,225).- Senior Samantha Greer recorded a career-high with 19 points.- Freshman Nicole Myers recorded career-highs with 16 points and seven rebounds.- Freshman Jameka McElroy recorded career-highs with nine points and seven rebounds.