MACOMB, Ill. - In
the home finale for Western Illinois women's basketball (11-16, 7-9) a
streaking South Dakota (19-7, 10-6) program used a strong post presence (nine blocks) to
capture its ninth win in its last 10 games, 62-47.
Amber Hegge finished with 26 points to lead all scorers and
pulled down nine rebounds while Jodie Boss collected a double-double with 10
points and 13 rebounds.
Western took an early one point lead, 5-4, on a Brittany
Demery three-pointer at the 16:53 mark. South Dakota used a four-point play
from Annie Roche to stretch its lead to 16-11 with just over nine minutes to
play in the first half.
Jackie Rieger tied the game at 18-18 with a triple from the
three with 4:08 left before halftime. Saule Kontautaite knocked down two free
throws to bring Western within one, 23-22, with 1:09 on the clock.
That would be the score at the break, as the Coyotes would
take that slim lead into the locker room.
Rieger led the Leatherneck attack with seven points while Roche and
Alexis Yackley both paced USD's offense with six points while Jodie Boss pulled
down seven boards.
Kontautaite knocked down a triple to begin the second half
to give Western a 25-23 lead. Kontautaite then started a fast break after
corralling a long rebound and found Michele Salvatori for the fast break
basket, making it 30- 27 in favor of the Leathernecks.
South Dakota then went on a 10-0 run to sprint out to a
37-30 lead at the 13:35 mark. Demery found room underneath the hoop for an easy
basket to bring Western within six but USD answered with two quick baskets to
brings its lead to 48-39 with just less than six minutes to play.
The Coyotes would pull away and secure
The Summit League victory, 62-47. USD shot 26 free throws and converted 24 of
those while collecting 25 points in the paint to Western's 12.
Sadie Webb led the Leathernecks with 11 points while Demery
chipped in 10. Valencia Kelly, Webb, Demery and Tricia Coates all participated
in their last game inside Western Hall.
The Leathernecks will travel to Fargo, N.D. to face the
Bison of North Dakota State on Saturday, Feb. 25. at 4:30 p.m.
#WIUAthetics
