MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks open the second half of Summit League play on Saturday, January 31, as the team plays host to Fort Wayne inside Western Hall. Western looks to take the season series from the Mastodons after picking up a road victory in Fort Wayne to open league play. Tip-off between the Leathernecks and Mastodons is set for 4:30 p.m. Western Illinois sits in a tie for second place in The Summit League with a 5-3 league record (13-8 overall), while Fort Wayne is in eighth-place at 2-6 (8-13 overall). Saturday's contest is the annual 'Think Pink' event, which will take place following the game. All funs from the event will go to McDonough District Hospital's Linda's Fund. For $25 per person, fans can purchase a 'Think Pink' package which includes: a game ticket, a long sleeve t-shirt, and admission to the event following the game.

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

SCOUTING FORT WAYNE: The Mastodons currently sit at 8-13 (2-6) following a 70-59 victory over Omaha on Thursday. Haley Seibert leads the Fort Wayne attack, as she averages 17.3 points per game, 7.7 points per game more than the next Mastodon on the roster (Rachel Rinehart, 9.6 ppg). Hillary Moore anchors the paint, as she leads the team with 5.0 rebounds per contest. Chris Paul is in his 10th season leading the Mastodons.

SERIES HISTORY: Fort Wayne leads the all-time series 10-6 after the Leathernecks claimed the first meeting of the season. On January 2, Western Illinois traveled to Fort Wayne to take on the Mastodons. Trailing by 14 points in the second half, the Leathernecks used a 28-5 run claim a 98-85 victory. Five players scored in double figures, led by a double double from Ashley Luke (23 points, 10 rebounds).

LAST TIME OUT: The current roster of the Western Illinois women's basketball program had never defeated IUPUI until Thursday (Jan. 29) evening. A double-double from Ashley Luke led the way as the Leathernecks knocked off IUPUI by a final score of 73-62. Western stormed out of the gates as the team used a 21-3 run over 9:09 to help build a 28-10 lead on the visiting Jaguars. During the run, Luke recorded 10 points, extending her streak of consecutive games in double figures to 58. The Leathernecks were 9-of-13 from the field during the run while a stingy defense held IUPUI to 1-of-15 field goal shooting. The 18-point lead couldn't be sustained, as IUPUI, who had claimed the previous five meetings between the two schools, countered with an 11-0 run of its own to trim the Leatherneck lead to six. The two teams would trade baskets down the closing minutes of the first half, and Western would hold a 36-30 lead heading into halftime. Western Illinois came out hot to start the second half, as the Leathernecks used a 13-2 run over the opening 3:54 to build the lead back up to 17. During the second half, IUPUI tried to fight back into the game, as it cut the lead to single digits on five different occasions. Each time the Leathernecks had an answer, and the team closed the game a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe to finish off the victory Western, who never trailed in the game, shot 51.1% from the field (24-47), while limiting the Jaguars to 29.9% (20-67) for the game.

MAHER BREAKS THE RECORD: In Western Illinois' victory over Denver on Jan. 15, Michelle Maher became the program leader in career three pointers, passing Amanda Walker for the top spot. A 5-of-7 shooting performance against the Pioneers gave Maher 147 career three pointers, surpassing Walker's career total of 146.

THE STREAK CONTINUES: Dating back to the end of her freshman campaign, Ashley Luke has been one of the most consistent players in the country, as she has registered 58 straight games of 10 or more points. During the streak, Luke has scored exactly 10 points twice, 11-15 points 14 times, 16-20 points 21 times, 21-25 points 11 times, 25-30 points six times, and 31+ points four times. Her career-high is 35 points, which she scored against South Dakota in the first round of the 2014 Summit League Tournament. Luke's streak is the second-longest known streak in the nation, with Kelsey Minato of Army's streak of 68-straight games (as of Jan. 28) being the only known streak longer than Luke's.

LONG BALL AMONG NATIONS BEST: Western Illinois has found success from beyond the arc this season, having made 172 field goals from three-point range. The Leathernecks' average of 8.4 made three-point field goals per game is among the best in Division I, as the team ranks 10th nationally. The team hit 14 triples in its victory over Denver, tied for the fifth most in a game in Leatherneck history.

NONCONFERENCE SUCCESS: Western Illinois posted an 8-5 nonconference mark this season, one of the best nonconference records in recent history for the Leathernecks. The eight wins matches the most nonconference wins under JD Gravina, as his squad a year ago also recorded eight wins. The .615 winning percentage in nonconference games this season is the best winning percentage for a Leatherneck team since the 2005-06 team that went on to finish 23-7 and claim the Mid-Con regular season title.

DISHING THE ROCK: Coach JD Gravina said that he would like to see junior Michelle Maher lead the league in assists this season, and she is in contention for the top spot. Maher currently ranks second the league in assists per game, and ranks 58th nationally, with 4.7 assists per game. Maher also does a great job of not turning the ball over, as her 2.11 assist to turnover ratio ranks first in the  league (45th nationally).

FARROW HOT FROM DEEP: Redshirt freshman Michelle Farrow has been the team leader from beyond the arc this year, with a team-best 38 made three pointers. Farrow was hot from deep during a six game stretch for the Leathernecks (Nov. 29 through Dec. 21), as Farrow shot 65% from three-point range (17-of-26). On the year Farrow is shooting 45.7% from long distance. At one point this season, Farrow was fourth nationally in three-point field goal percentage. 

KNOCKING EM DOWN FROM THE CHARITY STRIPE: The Leatherneck went 4-0 to open 2015 and much of the success can be attributed to the team's performance at the free throw line. In the four games, the team shot a combined 86% from the free throw line. Western Illinois was 9-of-10 against Eureka, went 19-of-20 to end nonconference against Milwaukee, was 35-40 in the conference opener against Fort Wayne, and shot 19-of-25 against Omaha. Combined, the team was 82-of-95 during the stretch. This season, Tori Niemann is shooting a team-best 85.7% from the free throw line.

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 seven different statistical categories, leading the league in 3 point field goals per game (8.4), assist to turnover ratio (1.19), steals per game (8.6), fewest fouls per game (15.6), assists per game (16.0), fewest turnovers per game (13.5), and turnover margin (+1.81). Individually, Ashley Luke leads the league in field goal percentage according to NCAA standards (50.5) while Michelle Maher is tops in assist to turnover ratio (2.11).

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 38 career double-doubles are the 8th most among active Division 1 players, while her career average of 9.3 rebounds per game ranks 11th on the active career leaders list. Luke has also averaged 16.2 points per game which ranks in the top 15 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. The Leathernecks started games in a variety of ways, having used five different starting lineups over the first 10 games of the season.

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 42-17 when scoring at least 70 points. When scoring 69-or-fewer points, Western is 11-42 over the same timespan. The Leathernecks also know how to close out a late lead, as they are 45-5 under Gravina when leading with five minutes remaining.

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.

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.