MACOMB, Ill. - Junior Katy Davenport tallied a team-high 18 points and six rebounds in the Western Illinois women's basketball team's 86-39 exhibition victory over Illinois-Springfield.

Western got on the board first on a jumper by sophomore Jordon O'Brien. The Prairie Stars then scored the next three points to take their only lead of the game at 3-2. The next minute and a half was scoreless until the Westerwinds started an 8-0 run to take the final lead of the game.

The Prairie Stars fought through the remainder of the first half cutting Western's lead to as little as four points before the Westerwinds went on a 16-5 run in the final five minutes of the half to take a 37-20 lead into the lockerroom.

"I am pretty pleased with our performance tonight," said head coach Leslie Crane. "We have to get tighter on our ball defense, but I saw a much better job in the second half."

Western came out strong in the second half with a 5-2 run in the first three minutes. Over the next four minutes the Westerwinds held Illinois-Springfield scoreless while pushing their lead to 34 points.

Western used a well-balanced scoring attack on its way to victory, as all but one of the 12 players who dress recorded at least two points. The Westerwinds saw double-digit point performances from Davenport (18), sophomore Katy Clark (12), junior Nicole Myers (10), and O'Brien (10).

"I feel comfortable going to our bench," said Crane. "We have to utilize all of our players in order to keep fresh legs and play the type of defense we are planning on this year."

During the second half of the game Western controlled the ball better, recording only five turnovers to 10 in the first half. The Westerwinds also forced the Prairie Stars into 35 turnovers in the game, while recording 18 steals. Western garnered a 50.0 shooting percentage from the floor and beyond the arc in the final 20 minutes.

"The second half was a lot better," Crane added. "We had a lot better execution and the flow of the game was much better. When we told the team to make adjustments they made them and that is something good to see from a coaches perspective."

Western wraps up the exhibition portion of the 2007 season, Sunday, November 4 when Lewis University heads to Macomb. Game time is set for 2 p.m. on Waste Management Court at Western Hall.

Notes: Western's non-starters recorded 36 points, while the same amount was scored off turnovers...the Westerwinds recorded nine three-point shots to the two by the Prairie Stars.