CEDAR CITY, Utah - It was not easy but Western Illinois women's basketball (11-14, 7-7) but the leathernecks were able to grind out another Summit League win at Southern Utah (6-20, 2-13) despite being outrebounded 42-27 and have now won five of its last seven games.
Four Leathernecks scored in double-figures led by 18 from Saule Kontautaite who is averaging 23 points per game over her last five games and now has 56 triples this season, which is third all-time in program history. The most in a season is 62 belonging to Doshia Woods in 2000-01.
A Michele Salvatori fastbreak layup gave Western a 9-6 lead early in the first half and she followed with a jumper to extend the visitors' lead to 11-8 at the 14:31 mark.
The contest was a back-and-forth affair early in the first half and a Sadie Webb jumper tied the game up at 17-17 with 11:05 left before the break.
Carli Moreland took control of the game and she converted a three-point play to extend Southern Utah's lead to 25-17 with 9:13 on the clock to cap a 12-0 run. However, Kontautaite knocked down two three-pointers to get Western within four, 27-23, and keep the Leathernecks within striking distance.
Salvatori corralled an offensive rebound and followed with a put back to cut the deficit to one at 30-29 and a Webb jumper at the 1:50 mark completed the comeback, giving Western a 31-30 advantage.
The Thunderbirds would overtake the Leathernecks and lead at the break, 36-33, powered by 15 points from Moreland.
Salvatori paced Western with eight points while both Webb and Kontautaite chipped in six a piece. Rebounding proved to be crucial in the first half as Southern Utah won the rebounding battle 22-13 but 13 Thunderbird turnovers kept Western close.
Western continued to struggle to find an answer for Moreland's offensive attack and the Southern Utah freshman gave the Thunderbirds a 40-35 lead at the 18:45 mark in the second half with a turnaround jumper.
Webb knocked down a jumper to tie the game at 41-41 with 16:22 left in the contest. Valencia Kelly followed with a steal and sprinted her way to another fastbreak layup to give Western a 43-41 lead with just under 16 minutes to play.
Salvatori continued her strong showing with a jumper to extend Western's lead to 47-43 with 14:36 on the clock. Moreland was quick to answer with another three-point play to cut the Leathernecks' advantage to 47-46.
Kelly drilled a long-range jumper to give Western a 52-50 lead and on the next possession Moreland picked up her fourth foul at the 11:58 mark and would have to go to the bench.
Western's momentum seemed to slow, as Southern Utah would regain the lead 60-58 at the 5:30 mark after two free throws from Kimmie Hawkins.
The final five minutes would be tightly contested but the Leathernecks held onto a 67-64 lead at the 2:50 mark after a jumper from Brittany Demery. Kontautaite drilled a clutch three-pointer to give Western a 70-66 lead with just over a minute to play.
Demery secured two huge rebounds late to keep Southern Utah from closing the gap. The Purple & Gold would convert free throws late to pull away and collect the 70-66 victory.
Joining Kontautaite in the offensive attack were Webb (16), Kelly (13) and Salvatori (10) while Jackie Rieger pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds.
Moreland led all scorers with 20 points and pulled down 11 boards while Hawkins also collected a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Andrea Jones poured in 15 points in the losing effort.
The Purple & Gold will return to Western Hall to celebrate senior night on Saturday, Feb. 18 against UMKC at 4:30 p.m. The Leathernecks were victorious over the Kangaroos in a thriller in Kansas City, Mo. earlier this season, 66-63.
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