Leatherneck offense struggles in 52-36 loss to Oakland

MACOMB, Ill.- Despite taking two more shots than Oakland (49-47) Saturday afternoon, the Fighting Leathernecks only connected on 24.5 percent of their shots in a 52-36 loss.

“We're playing good enough defense to win ball games but it's all about playing better on offense,” said Western Illinois head coach Leslie Crane. “We need to have the will to score. It's about being willing to set the screen and being willing to put in a layup.”

The Leathernecks (6-15, 2-8 Summit League) tied the game at five in the opening minutes on a Jordon O'Brien jump shot, but would only get within two points of the Golden Grizzlies (10-11, 7-3 Summit League) the rest of the game. A Jackie Rieger layup made the score 11-9 with 12:33 remaining in the game before Oakland went on a 10-4 run over the next 8:24 to take an eight-point lead (21-13). Western scored the last four points of the half on baskets by Ashley Lord and Lunden Roberts, making the score 21-17 heading into the locker room.

Anneloes Kodde hit a basket to open the second half and get the game back within two (21-19), but the Grizzlies offense came alive and led by as much as 19 points three times in the second half, taking their final 19-point lead (51-32) with 3:59 remaining in the game. Western closed out the game on a 4-1 run, but fell to Oakland 52-36.

O'Brien led a group of nine Leathernecks who scored in the game with seven points. Michele Salvatori scored six points while Jackie Barton and Lord added five points.

Oakland won the battle on the glass, out rebounding Western by 18 (47-29). Barton pulled down a game-high eight rebounds and Lord added six.

The Leathernecks forced 20 turnovers and had 11 steals in the contest, paced by Anne Borgertpoepping's game-high four steals.

“There were a lot of things that we did well defensively but we need to have a tougher mentality on offense,” said Crane. “It's just about concentration and getting the ball in the hole.”

The Leathernecks return to action on Monday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. against IPFW.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

#42 Jackie Rieger: F; 6' 0"; Redshirt

#23 Lunden Roberts: G; 5' 8"; Redshirt

#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

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

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

#42 Jackie Rieger
: 6' 0"; Redshirt
: F

#23 Lunden Roberts
: 5' 8"; Redshirt
: G

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