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Western Illinois University Athletics

WBB_Omaha_FP
WIU Visual Productions Center
73
Western Illinois WIU 11-7, 3-2 Summit
76
Winner Oral Roberts ORU 9-10, 3-3 Summit
Western Illinois WIU
11-7, 3-2 Summit
73
Final
76
Oral Roberts ORU
9-10, 3-3 Summit
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Illinois WIU 33 40 73
Oral Roberts ORU 27 49 76

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

Leathernecks Let Halftime Lead Get Away at Oral Roberts

30 points and 12 rebounds for Ashley Luke not enough as Leathernecks drop 76-73 decision

TULSA, OKLA. - The Western Illinois women's basketball team let a halftime lead slip away Saturday (Jan. 17) afternoon, as Oral Roberts came back to slide past the Leathernecks, 76-73. Western drops to 3-2 in Summit League play, and 11-7 overall, with the loss while Oral Roberts improves to 9-10 (3-3) with the victory.
 
"I felt that we were really aggressive to end the half which helped give us that lead at half. Coming out in the second half, however, Oral Roberts was much more aggressive and really attacked the basket. All of a sudden, a five-point lead turned into a five-point deficit, which you can't let happen in Summit League play.
 
Oral Roberts led for most of the first half, but it was the Leathernecks who took a six-point lead into halftime. Jenna Mueller came off the bench to provide six points in the first half, with her layup with 3:45 left to play sparking a 10-0 Leatherneck run. Ashley Luke contributed four points, Tori Niemann knocked down a triple, and Emily Clemens capped the run off with a free throw. A late field goal from Oral Roberts trimmed the halftime lead for Western down to 33-27.
 
The opening 4:29 of the second half belonged to Oral Roberts, as the team was able eventually take a one point lead after a pair of free throws by Jordan Gilbert. Following the free throws, the Golden Eagles went on an 8-2 run to build the advantage to seven points at 49-42.
 
Western countered and was able to tie things up at 51-all with 10:34 left to play. The next three minutes saw a flurry of action as the two teams were trading baskets, and the lead until Oral Roberts eventually secured the lead for good with 7:22 remaining. Down the stretch, Western Illinois had a number of chances to tie things up, as the Leathernecks were within three points of the lead six times over the final five minutes of action. However, they were unable to mount the necessary comeback.
 
After knocking down 14 three pointers against Denver Thursday night, Western was unable to come up with the key triple against the Golden Eagles, as the team shot 3-of-17 from beyond the arc on Saturday.
 
Luke had another stellar performance as she ended with 30 points and 12 rebounds. The double-double is the fifth straight, ninth in the last ten contests, and 10th overall this season for the Oak Creek, Wisconsin, native. Luke's 30 points also extended her double-figures streak to 55 consecutive games.
 
Niemann was the only other player in double-figures, as she ended the game with 13 points. Niemann has now scored 10 or more points in all but four contests this year.
 
The Leathernecks have a quick turnaround, as they play host to South Dakota State on Wednesday, January 21. Tip-off between the Leathernecks and Jackrabbits is set for 7 p.m. inside Western Hall. 
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