PEORIA, Ill. - A 12-0 Leatherneck run midway through the second half proved to be the turning point Tuesday evening (Dec. 9), as the Leathernecks defeated Bradley by a final score of 75-63. Ashley Luke and Sophie Reichelt each recorded a double-double in the victory, moving Western to 5-4 on the season. The Braves, fresh off an upset victory over Missouri, fell to 1-7 on the year.

"I think the most encouraging thing is that we didn't shoot ourselves to victory," said head coach JD Gravina. "A couple of years ago, in order to beat a Missouri Valley team by double-digits on the road, we would have to have one of those game where we knock down 13 threes. We didn't need that tonight. We hit some big shots, and shot it okay from deep, but I thought we defended really well tonight. They scored 43 points in the second half, but a lot of those came pretty late when they were attacking and hitting tough shots. However, we kept ourselves in it and ground out that lead defensively and that is a huge step for our program. My first year at Western we came over here and got beat by 35 so that shows you how far our program has come."

After leading the entire game, Western's lead slowly dwindled down to four points with 14:40 left in the second half. The Braves used a 7-2 run over 1:38 to pull within four at 38-34, forcing a timeout by Western Illinois. What ensued out of the timeout would change the course of the game, as the Leathernecks exploded with a 12-0 to regain the comfortable advantage. 

The second-half run, which spanned 2:08, was started by a Tori Niemann layup coming out of the timeout. Luke followed by knocking down a pair of free throws, and would end the game an impressive 9-10 from the charity stripe. Niemann followed with a three-pointer, and Emily Clemens hit a layup to force a Braves timeout. Coming out of the timeout, Michelle Farrow, making just her second start of the season, knocked down a three to push the Leatherneck lead up to 16.

Bradley would get within seven points of the Leathernecks with just over seven minutes remaining, prompting another Western timeout. Once again, the Purple and Gold responded, this time a 9-2 run, to put the game out of reach for good. Farrow knocked down her second long ball of the half to get the run started, and Luke followed with a pair of free throws. Faith Lois came off the bench and knocked down back-to-back jumpers, forcing Bradley to burn another timeout.

Western Illinois would cruise the final 4:30 of the game en route to the 12 point victory, as the lead never dropped below double digits down the stretch.

The 47 points scored by Western in the second half nearly matched the first half output of both teams combined, as the Leathernecks led 28-20 heading into intermission.

While Western struggled shooting the ball in the first half (32.4%), the Leatherneck defense shut Bradley down. The Braves only made seven field goals in the first half and were 0-6 from beyond the arc. The Western advantage in the first half was made possible by the play of Luke, who registered a double-double in the opening 20 minutes alone with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Luke would end the game with game-highs in points (25) and rebounds (16) and registered her 46th consecutive game in double figures. Luke played 35 minutes against Bradley, a season-high.

The Leathernecks also received a double-double from Reichelt, who put together a 10-point, 10-rebound night. Niemann was the third Leatherneck to register double-digit points, finishing with 13 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes. Michelle Maher ran the point impressively, as she finished with a game-high seven assists. 

Western held advantages in assists (18-9), blocks (4-1), and rebounds (45-33) against the Braves Tuesday evening, and all 13 players who dressed saw game action.

The Fighting Leathernecks return home for the start of a two-game home stand Friday night (Dec. 12), hosting in-state rival Eastern Illinois. Tip-off between the Leathernecks and Panthers is slated for 7 p.m. inside Western Hall.