Borgertpoepping leads Leathernecks over Illinois-Springfield, 61-42

MACOMB, Ill.- Junior Anne Borgertpoepping went 5-for-5 from behind the arc to lead the Fighting Leathernecks with 15 points as they defeated Illinois-Springfield, 61-42, Saturday afternoon.

“Everyone shot really well tonight,” said Borgertpoepping. “We've had a rough couple games with shooting, but tonight it really came together well.”

Western (4-6) jumped out to an early 8-2 lead at the 15:10 mark on an Anneloes Kodde three-point basket. Kodde would hit another three pointer with 4:35 remaining in the first half to make the score 28-18 before Paulina Pogorzelski knocked in a three pointer to bring the Prairie Stars (2-6) within seven points. A Michele Salvatori trey gave Western their largest lead of the half (37-22) at the 1:17 mark, but a Kelly Thompson layup with 20 seconds left cut the Illinois-Springfield deficit to 13 heading into the locker room.

The Leathernecks never looked back in the second half, taking their largest lead of the game (57-35) on a La'Paris Newsom three-point basket with 5:28 left in the game. The Prairie Stars got within 15 points at the 2:24 mark, but a Jackie Barton layup and an Ashley Lord jumper in the closing minutes of the game sealed the victory for the Leathernecks.

The Leatherneck defense held Illinois-Springfield to season-low 42 points. Western also forced a season-high 26 turnovers and collected 11 steals in the contest.

“I was pleased with what we were able to do defensively,” said Western Illinois head coach Leslie Crane. “Being able to hold a team to just over 40 points is a huge accomplishment and offensively it was great to see us hit some more threes tonight.”

Western made a season-high 14 three pointers (14-29), shooting 48.3 percent from behind the arc. Western also outshot the Prairie Stars by 21 in the contest (63-42).

“Our kids did a great job of just taking what the defense gave them tonight,” said Crane. “Typically we don't plan to shoot as many three-pointers as we did tonight, but our kids realized that they weren't going to let us go inside and they did a great job from long range.”

Kodde posted double digits for the second game in a row, scoring 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting from behind the arc. Erica Lewis added 10 points and Jordon O'Brien chipped in nine points and a game-high seven assists.

“I've been able to get in the gym and get some extra shooting in on my own this week and that really helped me out tonight,” said Kodde.

Defensively, Michele Salvatori grabbed a team-high nine rebounds while Kodde and Lord added five rebounds each. Kodde also had a game-high three steals.

“Everything's starting to come along,” said Crane. “All our kids are great shooters and today we saw that. They've been working very hard on their own this week to come in and shoot around themselves and that showed tonight.”

The Leathernecks play host to Loyola (Ill.) on Dec. 20 at 2 p.m. before heading to Columbus, Ohio to face No. 9 Ohio State on Dec. 22 at 3 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#24 Jordon O'Brien: G; 5' 9"; Senior

#14 Anneloes Kodde: F; 6' 0"; Junior

#33 Anne Borgertpoepping: G; 5' 7"; Junior

#50 Ashley Lord: C; 6' 4"; Senior

#12 Jackie Barton: G/F; 5' 11"; Junior

#22 La'Paris Newsom: G; 5' 7"; Freshman

#5 Erica Lewis: G/F; 5' 8"; Junior

#25 Michele Salvatori: G/F; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#24 Jordon O'Brien
: 5' 9"; Senior
: G

#14 Anneloes Kodde
: 6' 0"; Junior
: F

#33 Anne Borgertpoepping
: 5' 7"; Junior
: G

#50 Ashley Lord
: 6' 4"; Senior
: C

#12 Jackie Barton
: 5' 11"; Junior
: G/F

#22 La'Paris Newsom
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: G

#5 Erica Lewis
: 5' 8"; Junior
: G/F

#25 Michele Salvatori
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: G/F