MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Western Illinois nearly overcame a big early deficit for the second-straight game, but ultimately fell by a 70-55 score at Milwaukee on Saturday, Nov. 27.
The Fighting Leathernecks (0-5) trailed by a score of 26-8 with just under eight minutes to go in the first half before going on a 17-4 run to pull within five points (30-25) at the break.
Michele Salvatori's three-pointer at the 7:58 mark keyed the run as Western was able to cut the lead to 28-25 before the Panther's Lindsay Laur hit a jumper just before the half. Jackie Rieger scored seven points during the run on her way to a career-high 13 points.
Milwaukee (3-2) started off the second half with two-straight buckets to stretch the lead to double-digits at 35-25, but the Leathernecks would battle their way back to get back within six points (41-35) at the 12:38 mark.
The Panthers would go on a 14-4 run over the next four minutes to stretch the lead back to 16 points at 55-39. Western cut the lead to eight points on three separate occasions in the final eight minutes, but were unable to complete the comeback.
Milwaukee finished the game 26-of-52 (50.0%) from the floor, including 6-for-16 from beyond the arc and 12-for-16 from the charity stripe. The Leathernecks shot 22-for-62 (35.5%), going 8-for-21 from the three-point line and 3-for-10 on their free throws.
Salvatori led the Leathernecks with career-high 16 points, her second-straight double-digit scoring output. She also grabbed a career-high five rebounds. In addition to her career-high in points, Rieger also added career-highs in rebounds (7) and steals (5).
Anne Borgerpoepping finished with a career-high nine assists. Valencia Kelly and Sadie Webb each poured in nine points while Jackie Barton and Christina Jones each finished with three.
Lauer led all scorers with 20 points as four Panthers finished in double-digits. Milwaukee out-rebounded Western by a 44-30 margin but the Leathernecks bench helped keep the game close throughout, out-scoring the Panthers bench 28-6.
Western Illinois will return home where it plays host to Oral Roberts in the 2010-11 Summit League Opener at 6 p.m. on Sunday at Western Hall.
