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Western Illinois University Athletics

WBB_EIU_FP
WIU Visual Productions Center
54
Eastern Illinois EIU 3-6
63
Winner Western Illinois WIU 6-4
Eastern Illinois EIU
3-6
54
Final
63
Western Illinois WIU
6-4
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Eastern Illinois EIU 20 34 54
Western Illinois WIU 29 34 63

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

Women's Basketball Defeats In-State Foe Eastern Illinois, 63-54

Ashley Luke records her third double-double of the season in victory over the Panthers.

MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois women's basketball team secured its second consecutive win on Friday night, as the Leathernecks knocked off in-state foe Eastern Illinois by a 63-54 final.

Ashley Luke continued her stellar junior campaign against the Panthers, as she recorded her second consecutive double-double and 47th consecutive game scoring in double-figures.

"There's definitely some positives to draw from this game," said head coach JD Gravina. "First of all to win, it says a lot about how far we've come from. My first year we got beat by Bradley and Eastern by 30-plus both games or at least it felt that way and we were able to turn around and beat those teams this year. One of the most encouraging things is we're able to win ugly this year. Last year this is a game we lose. We only gave up 20 points in the first half so we were pretty good defensively. Offensively we were just flat. When they slow down on offense and we have 25 seconds between every offensive possession, we struggle a little bit to get it going so we need to learn to get a little bit more emotional and more intense."

After struggling from the field in the opening 10 minutes of the game, the Leathernecks used a 19-6 to jump ahead, 24-16. Western Illinois used a stifling 2-3 zone to force the Panthers to shoot from the outside, and the defensive switch paid dividends as Eastern was 2-of-13 from the field during the scoring drought. The Purple and Gold forced seven turnovers while receiving scoring efforts from six different Leathernecks.

Western would take a nine point lead into halftime despite only shooting 29 percent from the field, and 20% from beyond the arc.

Eastern would mount a comeback over the opening 10 minutes of the second half, as the Panthers cut the lead to one at 37-36. Sophie Reichelt would knock down a three to end the Eastern run and push the advantage back up to four points. Reichelt would end the game two points shy of her second-consecutive double-double as she collected eight points and 10 rebounds on the night.

Over the next few minutes, Western struggled to pull away from their rival, until a 9-0 run extended the lead to 10 points. Junior Michelle Maher sparked the run with a layup off of a Luke assist. Maher ended the night with seven points and moved into sole possession of second place on the all-time three point field goals list with 136, ten shy of the program record of 146 in a career.

Western Illinois was able to control the final four minutes of the game, converting all four of their free throw attempts en route to the nine point victory.

The Leathernecks secured the victory despite posting their third lowest shooting percentage of the season. Despite being out-shot from the field (34.4%-33.3%), Western Illinois was able to determine the outcome of the game from beyond the arc. Western knocked down eight three-pointers in the game while limiting Eastern Illinois to 3-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc. 

Luke posted her third double-double this season as she finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while also collecting three blocks. Her 29 career double-doubles moves her into a tie for 11th on the NCAA career active leader list. Maher led the Leathernecks with five assists as nine different Western players were in the scoring column.

Western Illinois will next take the court in nine days, as the team travels north to take on Marquette in nonconference action. Tip-off between the Leathernecks and Golden Eagles is set for 2 p.m.
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