Leathernecks pick up 52-44 win over IUPUI

INDIANAPOLIS- Senior Jordon O'Brien tied a career-high 25 points to lift the Western Illinois women's basketball team over IUPUI, 52-44, Saturday afternoon inside The Jungle.

The Jaguars (1-15, 0-5 Summit League) tied the game at 28 with 13:41 left to play, but Jackie Rieger connected on two free throws at the 12:31 mark to give the Fighting Leathernecks (5-11, 1-4 Summit League) a lead they would never lose. Erica Lewis gave Western its largest lead of the game (48-36) with 2:44 remaining in the contest. IUPUI came within seven with 30 seconds left, but Anneloes Kodde drained back-to-back free throws to seal the 52-44 victory for the Leathernecks.

The Leathernecks started the game with an 11-4 lead when O'Brien knocked down a three pointer at the 13:33 mark. The Jaguars bounced back with an 8-2 run to get the game with in one (13-12), but Western went on an 8-2 run capped off by O'Brien's third three-point basket of the half with 57 seconds remaining. Janna Eichelberger hit a shot with 15 seconds remaining to cut IUPUI's deficit to five (21-16) heading into the locker room.

“We had 11 points from our bench tonight and that was huge for us,” said Western Illinois head coach Leslie Crane. “(Michelle) Salvatori, Lunden (Roberts) and (Jackie) Rieger all came in and gave us solid minutes all night.”

O'Brien led the Western offense with a game-high 25 points while Lewis added seven. Kodde, Rieger and Michelle Salvatori added four points each. All eight players for the Leathernecks who stepped on the floor scored in the contest.

"She (O'Brien) handled things well when they were double and triple teaming her all night,” said Crane.

The Jaguars won the battle on the glass, pulling down three more rebounds than the Leathernecks (32-29). Lewis and Ashley Lord led Western with six rebounds each. Anne Borgertpoepping and Kodde chipped in with four each.

After not making it to the free throw line in the first half, the Leathernecks went 15-for-18 from the charity stripe in the second half. O'Brien went 8-for-8 in the game from the free throw line.

The Leathernecks continue Summit League action with two home contests against Oral Roberts on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 4:30 p.m. and against Centenary on Monday, Jan 18 at 7 p.m.

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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

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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