TULSA, Okla. ? Senior Gina Hugelier tallied a team-high 19 points and added 10 rebounds in the Western Illinois women's basketball team's 60-46 victory over Oral Roberts at the Mabee Center.

The Westerwinds (8-9, 6-0 The Summit League) opened the first half with strong defense forcing the Golden Eagles (10-7, 4-2 The Summit League) into a shot-clock violation on their first possession and held them scoreless until 18:10 remaining in the opening period. Western then opened up a 7-4 lead with just under 17 minutes remaining before Oral Roberts was able to get its first advantage of the game (11-10) with 15:04 left.

The Golden Eagles then took advantage of six free-throw opportunities over a 4:30 span. The free throws were their only points during the span as the Westerwinds held them without a bucket for nearly six minutes. Oral Roberts luck at the free-throw line then ended as they missed on three-of-four opportunities the rest of the half.

In the final six minutes of the half Western went on a 9-5 run, while holding the Golden Eagles scoreless for the final 3:30 to take a 31-27 lead into the locker room.

Both teams came out in the second half with strong defense, holding each other scoreless for three minutes starting with 18:30 left on the clock. Western broke the streak first, with a lay up by Hugelier. The Westerwinds continued the strong defense going on 6-0 run until there was 11:40 remaining when Oral Roberts broke its scoreless streak.

The Golden Eagles tried to regain some momentum, with a 4-2 run over the next five minutes. The push wasn't enough as the Westerwinds continued to keep up their defensive pressure and ended the last seven minutes of the game with a 17-8 run.

Western kept Oral Roberts to just five steals and forced them into 15 turnovers, below its season averages of 10.6 steals. After being down in the rebounding column 14-18 at the half the Westerwinds stepped up and tied the Golden Eagles with 33 rebounds in the game.

Western remains on the road until Monday, January 21 when they face Centenary at 7 p.m. in the Gold Dome.

Notes: Hugelier tallied 12 of her 19 points in the first half of play...Western now owns a slight advantage in the all-time series (13-12).

Quotes:
Western Illinois Head Coach Leslie Crane
"Quick and speed really hurt Oral Roberts' shooting today."

"I really felt like Katy Davenport and Stephanie Lovingood did a good job of forcing their players out of their comfort zones."

"Davenport didn't have her shots go in tonight, but she stepped up and did some other things.  She kept Voelker to just seven points and seven rebounds and she is a handful to guard."

"Amanda Walker did a great job tonight.  She shot the ball really well in the second half.  She hit some big three's for us tonight."