MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks close out 2014, and its nonconference slate, at home against Milwaukee on Tuesday, December 30. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. inside Western Hall and will precede the men's basketball game against Anderson (Ind.). Western Illinois enters the contest with a 7-5 record while the Panthers are 4-7 this season.

BROADCAST INFORMATION: 
Live Radio: Leatherneck Sports Network (94.3 FM WRMS or wrmsfm.com)
Live Stream: Leathernecks All-Access (accessible via goleathernecks.com/watch)
Live Stats: WIU Stats

SCOUTING MILWAUKEE: The Milwaukee Panthers are 4-7 this season after dropping a close 78-72 decision on the road at Fort Wayne its last time out. The Panthers trimmed a nine-point deficit down to a one point game with four minutes remaining in the game, but could not complete the comeback against the Mastodons. Senior Ashley Green paced the attack with 20 points while junior Sydney Howard scored a career-high 14 points in the losing effort. On the season, Green averages 21.8 points per game while also leading the team with 7.8 rebounds per  contest.

SERIES HISTORY: Milwaukee leads the all-time series between the two schools, 5-4. Last season, Western Illinois secured a 99-86 shootout victory over the Panthers in Milwaukee. Four current Leathernecks scored in double figures in last year's matchup, with Ashley Luke (17), Michelle Maher (16), Tori Niemann (15), and Liz Skotowski (14) leading the offensive attack.

LAST TIME OUT: Five players scored in double-figures Sunday afternoon (Dec. 21) as Western Illinois cruised to a 91-50 women's basketball victory over Eureka inside Western Hall. The Leathernecks improve to 7-5 on the season while the Red Devils drop to 4-5 with the loss. Sophie Reichelt led all scorers with 21 points while Michelle Maher (13), Tori Niemann (12), Emily Clemens (10) and Ashley Luke (10) all reached the 10 point mark. Luke recorded her fourth consecutive double-double (and fifth this season) as she hauled in a game-high 15 rebounds. The Oak Creek, Wisconsin, native has now scored in double-figures in 49 consecutive games. The quintet of Leathernecks to score 10 or more points marks the first time it has been done in almost a year, as six Leathernecks dropped 10-plus points against St. Francis on Jan. 8, 2014. All 13 players who were dressed saw game action Sunday, and no one played more than 22 minutes. Western dominated in the paint, holding a 42-14 advantage down low. Western also out gained the Red Devils in points off turnover (23-8), 2nd chance points (16-4), and fast break points (21-2). The 91 points on Sunday marked the most points scored this season for Western and the second time that Western reached the 90-point mark, as Western dropped 90 points in a victory over Chicago State.

LONG BALL AMONG NATIONS BEST: Western Illinois has found success from beyond the arc this season, having made 105 field goals from three-point range. The Leathernecks' average of 8.8 made three-point field goals per game is among the best in Division I, as they rank eighth nationally.

FARROW HOT FROM DEEP: Redshirt freshman Michelle Farrow was hot from deep during a six game stretch for the Leathernecks. In six contests from Nov. 29 through Dec. 21, Farrow shot 65% from three-point range (17-of-26). On the year Farrow is shooting 46.5% from long distance.

LUKE JOINS 1,000 POINT CLUB: Junior Ashley Luke entered Leatherneck history during Western Illinois' contest against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 24, as she became just the 14th player in program history to record 1,000 career points. Luke becomes the first Leatherneck to join the club since Zane Teilane, who was a member of Western Illinois from 2003-2006.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING: The Leathernecks are the top team in The Summit League in four different statistical categories, leading the league in fewest fouls per game (16.5),  steals per game (10.4), turnover margin (2.33) and three-point field goals per game (8.8). Individually, Ashley Luke leads the league in field goal percentage (50.7). Michelle Maher has the best assist to turnover ratio in The Summit League, averaging 2.16 assists for every turnover, while also ranking first in assists per game (4.5). 

RECORD WATCH: Junior Michelle Maher is nearing a milestone, as she is eight three-point field goals away from breaking the program record of three-point field goals made in a career. In just over two seasons, Maher has tallied 139 triples. Amanda Walker currently holds the record of 146, which set set during the 2006-2009 seasons.

ACTIVE CAREER LEADERS: In just over two seasons at Western Illinois Ashley Luke has proven herself to be one of the top players in today's game. Her 31 career double-doubles are tied for the 11th most among active Division 1 players, while her career average of 9.0 rebounds per game ranks 13th on the active career leaders list. Luke has also averaged 15.8 points per game, the 17th best scoring average among active players who have scored at least 1,000 career points.

ROSTER DEPTH: Head coach JD Gravina has showcased the deep roster that he has at his disposal this season. Seven games have seen 13 players record minutes, while five game have had 12 Leathernecks check in. 10 different players are averaging over 10 minutes a game for the Purple and Gold on the year. This Leathernecks have used five different starting lineups over the first 12 games of the season, including four of the past six games.

UMKC DRAWS RECORD CROWD: Western Illinois' first ever 'Elementary Day' was a success on and off the court, with over 1,000 students in attendance as the Leathernecks hosted UMKC on November 25. With the aid of the students, the game drew 1,443 fans inside Western Hall, a new women's basketball attendance record.

BY THE NUMBERS: In head coach JD Gravina's tenure, the Leathernecks are 35-15 when scoring at least 70 points. When scoring 69-or-fewer points, Western is 11-41 over the same timespan. The Leathernecks also know how to close out a late lead, as they are 38-5 under Gravina when leading with five minutes remaining.

NO REST FOR THE LEATHERNECKS: Western Illinois hit the ground running to start the season, as they opened the year playing five games in the first 11 days. The five-game stretch included road trips to Missouri, Chicago State, and Florida Atlantic.

LEATHERNECKS GARNER PRESEASON RECOGNITION: Junior forward Ashley Luke and junior guard Michelle Maher each collected preseason accolades in The Summit League annual preseason voting. Luke was named the league's 'Preseason Player of the Year' while also being named a Fourth Team All Mid-Major selection by collegesportsmadness.com. ESPNW also named Luke as one of the top-10 mid-major players to watch this upcoming season. Maher was tabbed Summit League Preseason Second Team. The Leathernecks were slated to finish fourth this season according to the poll. The fourth place projection is the highest mark for the Leatherneck program since the 2006-07 season when the Purple and Gold were picked to finish fourth as well.

VETERAN RETURNERS: The Leathernecks return a veteran lineup to the court in 2014-15. Western Illinois brings back 82.6% of its scoring from a year ago, and seven players return who played in all 30 games. Three of those seven players, Ashley Luke, Michelle Maher and Tori Niemann, started in all 30 games for the Purple and Gold. This season, Luke, Maher, and Niemann have each started every game for Western. 

RECORD BREAKERS: The Leathernecks broke seven program records a season ago, with junior Ashley Luke single-handedly breaking five program records. Luke set the top mark in points scored (623), scoring average (20.8), field goals made (223), free throws made (177) and free throws attempted (255). As a team, the Fighting Leathernecks set program records in points scored (2,392) and field goals made (846).

IMPROVEMENT UNDER GRAVINA: In his three years at the helm of the Leatherneck basketball program, head coach JD Gravina has recorded more wins (26) in his first two years at Western Illinois than any other coach in program history, while his 40 wins in his first three years ranks second all-time for most wins over the first three years (Leslie Crane, 41, 1998-00). Gravina has also produced three All-Summit League selections as well as two 'Newcomers of the Year'. 

LUKE LANDS LINCOLN LAUREATE: It was announced on Oct. 29 that junior forward Ashley Luke (Oak Creek, Wisconsin) had been named the Western Illinois University recipient of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois' Student Laureate Award for 2014. The award, presented annually to an outstanding senior of each of Illinois' four-year degree-granting institutions, honors a student's overall academic excellence and extracurricular activities. Luke, a senior political science and journalism double major, will also be named the College Scholar for the WIU College of Arts and Sciences this semester and plans to pursue a master's degree in economics from Western.

ROSTER ADDITIONS: The team welcomes five new members to the program this season. Jenna Mueller has been added to the program as a graduate school transfer and will be immediately eligible for Western Illinois after appearing in 85 career games for Saint Louis University. Junior Krystal Corhn will also be immediately eligible to play this season after transferring from Highland Community College. Sophomore Taylor McClintock joins the Western family after spending her freshman year at Mercer and will redshirt this upcoming season to meet NCAA transfer requirements. The program added two freshmen to the roster in Emily Clemens and Tayler Miller. Clemens, a native of Muscatine, Iowa, was a two-time All-State honoree, earning First Team honors her senior year. As a senior, Clemens was also named the 'Conference Player of the Year'. Miller hails from St. Louis, Missouri where she concluded her high school career as the program's all-time leading scorer and rebounder.  

SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOM: Western Illinois excelled in the classroom this past season, posting the fifth-highest GPA among Division I women's basketball programs. The Leathernecks recorded a cumulative team GPA of 3.607, highest among all programs in The Summit League. Five current members of the team were named to The Summit League Academic Honor in 2013-14, posting a minimum 3.0 grade point average. Of the five, three earned the Distinguished Scholar award: Ashley Luke, Tori Niemann and Liz Skotowski. During the Spring 2014 semester Michelle Farrow, Luke, and Niemann earned a 4.0 GPA.

BASKETBALL INKS ONE FOR 2015: Head coach JD Gravina announced that Taylor Higginbotham (Germantown, Wis., Germantown) has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Western Illinois women's basketball program in 2015. Higginbotham, a 5-10 guard, averaged 13.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.7 steals per game last season for the Warhawks. Higginbotham is also a member of the Wisconsin Lakers AAU team which produced current Leathernecks Ashley Luke, Faith Lois, and Michelle Farrow.

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN: The Leathernecks will compete in a total of 29 regular season games as well as one exhibition game in 2014-15. Western will play 14 regular season games at home in Western Hall and will hit the road for 15 contests. The Leathernecks have a schedule that includes marquee match-ups against teams from the SEC (Missouri), Big East (Marquette), Conference USA (Florida Atlantic), and Horizon League (UIC).  

LEROY A. UFKES COURT: Western Hall, home of the men's and women's basketball programs, received a new court this offseason thanks to a donation from the family of a Western Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame member. LeRoy A. Ufkes Court is named after the 1996 Hall of Fame inductee, a supporter of the WIU Athletic Department for over 25 years. The new look is thanks to a donation from Joan Ufkes and the late LeRoy Ufkes. 

WHAT IS A LEATHERNECK?: Western Illinois holds the distinction of being the only non-military institution to officially have its nickname derived from a branch of the military service. The school began use of the Marine Corps' official nickname, "The Fighting Leathernecks", in 1927 when then-athletic director and head baseball, basketball and football coach Ray "Rock" Hanson was granted permission by the U.S. Navy, based on his status as a Marine hero, to use the Marine's official seal, bulldog mascot and nickname.