MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois women's basketball team concludes the 2015 portion of its schedule on Monday, December 28, as the Leathernecks travel to Normal, Illinois, for its final nonconference test of the year against Illinois State. Tip-off between the Leathernecks and Redbirds is set for 7 p.m. inside Redbird Arena. Western Illinois (6-6) looks to return to its winning ways against Illinois State (2-8) before opening up the conference slate.

BROADCAST INFORMATION: 
Radio: 94.3 WRMS FM and 104.1 WMQZ FM (also available online at wrmsfm.com)
Video: ESPN3
Live Stats: goredbirds.com

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT: The Redbirds of Illinois State, winners their last time out, enter Monday's contest at 2-8 overall. Last time out, Illinois State edged Chicago State by a 57-53 final, with Octavia Crump scoring a game-high 21 points in the contest. She was joined in double figures by Shakeela Fowler and Taylor Stewart (12 points each). On the year, Crump serves as the top offensive option, averaging 12.7 points per game, while Fowler averages 12.1 a contest. The Redbirds are led by Barb Smith who is in her third season at the helm of the Illinois State program.

SERIES HISTORY: Illinois State has dominated the all-time series, as the Redbirds own a 42-2 advantage over the Leathernecks historically. The two programs, however, have not met since 2008. The Purple and Gold last defeated Illinois State back in 2000, picking up a 74-64 decision inside Western Hall.

LAST TIME OUT: The Western Illinois women's basketball team dropped an 84-45 decision at Big 12 Conference member Kansas State Monday (Dec. 21) evening. The Leathernecks dropped to 6-6 on the year while the Wildcats, winners of seven straight, move to 10-1 on the year. Taylor McClintock led the way offensively for the Purple and Gold, as her 13 points were a team-high. It marks the seventh time this season, and the third consecutive game in which McClintock has topped 10 points.

THREES FOR DAYS: The Leathernecks are one of the most prolific 3-point shooting teams in the country, as the team ranks first nationally in 3-point field goals made (133), and ranks second nationally in 3-point field goals attempted (405), and per game (11.1). Michelle Farrow, Taylor McClintock, and Taylor Higginbotham lead the way with 22 made triples, each.

SENIOR LEADERS: The Leathernecks are led by a pair of veteran seniors in Michelle Maher and Sophie Reichelt. Reichelt currently leads the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 14.3 and 7.2 rebounds per game while Maher, who has started 99-of-101 career games at Western, is third on the team in scoring (13.0). Maher also runs the offense, as her 55 assists are tops for the Leathernecks. The duo have combined to tally 327 points this year, a number which accounts for 34.4 percent of Western's scoring.

1,000-POINT CLUB: In Western Illinois' 78-74 victory over SIU-Edwardsville, senior Michelle Maher became the 15th 1,000-point scorer in program history when she connected on a 3-pointer with 5:08 remaining in the first quarter. Maher currently sits in 11th place on the all-time scoring list with 1,140 career points.

TAYLOR TIMES TWO: Freshman Taylor Higginbotham and sophomore Taylor McClintock, both newcomers to the WIU program this season, have felt right at home in the Leatherneck offense. In her first collegiate game, Higginbotham came off the bench and led all scorers with 25 points on 5-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc and 9-of-12 shooting from the field in a victory over Central Methodist. The freshman ranks second on the team in scoring (13.7 ppg) and has tallied 10 or more points in all but two game this year. After sitting out last year due to NCAA transfer rules, McClintock has been a key bench presence for the Purple and Gold, as she is fourth on the team, averaging 9.2 points per game. McClintock has hit the 10-point mark on seven occasions this year, and is shooting 37.9 percent from beyond the arc.

PROTECT THE ROCK, DISH THE ROCK: The Purple and Gold are one of the top teams nationally when it comes to handling the basketball. Western Illinois turns the ball over only 11.8 times per game, the seventh fewest in the country. The Leathernecks have also tallied 202 assists on the season (24th-best nationally) to record a 1.43 assist to turnover ratio, eighth best in DI. Michelle Maher's 3.06 assist to turnover ratio is tops in The Summit League and 13th nationally. Maher's backcourt teammate Emily Clemens is right behind Maher, as the sophomore's 2.00 assist to turnover ratio is second-best in the league.

MAHER EARNS PRESEASON RECOGNITION: Senior guard Michelle Maher earned preseason accolades leading up to the start of the season, as she was named Preseason Second Team All-Summit League. Maher, who is the all-time leader in made 3-point field goals, is also climbing the career assists list. The Park Ridge, Illinois, native currently ranks fourth all-time with 368 helpers.

IMPROVEMENT UNDER GRAVINA: In his first four years at the helm of the women's basketball program, head coach JD Gravina has been one of the most successful coaches in program history, as his 57 career wins in four seasons at Western are tied for the most of any coach over their first three seasons in charge. Now in his fifth season, Gravina sits in in third place for career wins with 63. Gravina's 2014-15 squad ended the season with a 10-4 mark inside Western Hall which ranked as tied for the second-most home victories since the 2004-05 team posted a perfect 12-0 mark at home.

LEATHERNECKS INK TWO: Head coach JD Gravina announced the signing of guards Sam Pryor and Andi Pierce on Thursday, November 12. Pryor and Pierce, who will both wrap up their prep careers this spring, will join the Leatherneck family in the fall of 2016. Pryor, a 6'0" guard, is a native of Elgin, Illinois. A member of Burlington Central High School, Pryor was an All-Conference selection as a junior and an All-Area honoree the past three seasons. As a sophomore, Pryor was named Second Team AP All-State, and Third Team IBCA All-State. As a junior, she repeated as a Second Team AP All-State selection, while also being named to the IBCA Second Team All-State team. Pierce, a 5'11" guard, is a native of Garber, Oklahoma. As a junior for Garber High School, Pierce averaged 23.4 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per contest for the Wolverines. Pierce shot 48 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc. Pierce also made a team-high 50 3-pointers, while also leading the team in steals and assists.

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.