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Western Illinois University Athletics

Elementary Day
48
UMKC UMKC 1-3
71
Winner Western Illinois WIU 3-2
UMKC UMKC
1-3
48
Final
71
Western Illinois WIU
3-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UMKC UMKC 22 26 48
Western Illinois WIU 30 41 71

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | WIU Athletic Communications

Leathernecks Defeat UMKC, 71-48, in Front of Record Crowd

Four players score in double figures as Western Illinois sets attendance record Tuesday during the Leathernecks' 71-48 victory

MACOMB, Ill. - Four Leathernecks scored in double figures Tuesday as Western Illinois defeated the Kangaroos of UMKC by a final of 71-48. The 23-point victory was seen in front of 1,443 people, a new home attendance record for the women's basketball program. More than 1,000 grade school students were watching inside Western Hall as part of 'Elementary Day', in which the game time was a scheduled 11 a.m. tipoff. 

"I think it was a great experience for those kids and a great experience for our team," said head coach JD Gravina. "I want to give a big thank you to the principals and the teachers that made this happen. I think it was a really neat environment."

The opening 20 minutes featured a back-and-forth battle, as the 'Roos kept the game close. UMKC (1-3 overall) opened the game with an early 9-6 lead before the Leathernecks used an 11-0 run to regain the lead. Three straight jumpers by Tori Niemann, Ashley Luke, and Sophie Reichelt started the run and forced an UMKC timeout.

Following the timeout, Luke split a pair of free throws, and Emily Clemens converted a three-point play after she was fouled driving to the lane. The Leathernecks (3-2 overall) would extend their lead to nine at 26-17 after a Mallory Boyle three-pointer. Western would close out the first half with a 30-22 lead, as the team shot 44% from the field and assisted on nine of their 11 made field goals in the half.

Western Illinois put the game out of reach in the opening minutes of the second half, as the Leathernecks opened on a 14-2 run over the first 5:30 to extend the lead to 44-24. Four different Leathernecks scored during the run including Michelle Maher, whose three made three-point field goals moved her into fourth place on the all-time three-point FG list. Western would keep the defensive pressure up on the 'Roos, as the Purple and Gold led by 20 or more points over the final 8:18 of the game.

"I thought our team played great. We've talked and talked about how we didn't have any depth last year and we thought that hurt us," added Gravina. "I think at the beginning of the year, some people, including me, were a little concerned that the depth and playing a lot of kids was going to hurt us; just as far as jelling and working together and having chemistry. In fact, I think it has helped us. We have had time to work through that and now we feel like we can throw a lot of kids in there and they can all play well together."

Four Leathernecks scored in double-figures, as Niemann (14), Reichelt (12), Luke (11), and Maher (11) led the way offensively. Seven different players recorded four or more rebounds, led by Luke's six rebounds. Clemens and Maher each recorded a team-best five assists, as all 13 Leathernecks in uniform saw action Tuesday.

Western used the transition game and a strong defensive effort to spark a number of easy baskets, as the Leathernecks held advantages in points off turnovers (17-9), fast break points (6-0), and steals (10-3).

The Leathernecks return to action Saturday afternoon, as Western Illinois plays host to North Dakota as part of a double-header with the men's team. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. inside Western Hall.
 
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