Western wins third straight conference game, 61-50, over Centenary

SHREVEPORT, La.- The Western Illinois women's basketball advanced their conference-winning streak to three games as they defeated Centenary, 61-50, Saturday afternoon.

“The kids fought hard tonight,” said Western Illinois head coach Leslie Crane. “Centenary always plays tough at home, especially with their senior night against us. We made shots when we needed to and that made a big difference. Our scoring was spread out tonight and it was an all around team effort.”

The first half was back and forth as the Fighting Leathernecks (9-15, 5-8 Summit League) and Ladies (1-24, 0-14 Summit League) exchanged leads three times before back-to-back baskets by Ashley Lord and Anne Borgertpoepping gave Western a 19-15 lead with 4:41 remaining. Jackie Barton connected on a three pointer to give Western its largest lead of the half (27-17) with 42 seconds on the clock, but a good layup and free throw by Quintesa Gould with 14 seconds left cut the Leathernecks lead to seven heading into the locker room.

Western started the second half with four made three-point baskets to take their largest lead of the game (39-24) at the 16:26 mark. The Ladies battled back over the next 12 minutes and got within four points (49-45) with just under five minutes left in regulation. Borgertpoepping hit two baseline jumpers on the Leathernecks next two possessions, giving Western an eight-point lead at the 3:49 mark. Centenary only scored three more points in closing minutes as Western finished the game on an 8-3 run to win their fifth conference game of the year.

Barton led the team with 13 points as well as grabbing five rebounds and dishing out two assists. Borgertpoepping had a team-high seven rebounds and scored 12 points. Erica Lewis added nine points and Anneloes Kodde and Lunden Roberts both chipped in six points.

“Anne stepped up and carried us tonight,” said Crane. “She did a great defensively job for us and hit some jumpers down the stretch to help us win the game.”

The Leathernecks out rebounded the Ladies in the contest by five (33-28) and took 19 more shots (55-36).

Western's defense also forced 21 turnovers and collected eight steals led by Lord and Borgertpoepping who both had two.

“I really think our post defense played well,” said Crane. “Anneloes, (Jackie) Rieger and Lord did a great job defending their post players and denying the ball inside the paint.”

The Leathernecks will be back in action on Monday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. against Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Okla.

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Players Mentioned

#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

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

Players Mentioned

#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

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