INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Western Illinois women's basketball team handed IUPUI its first home Summit League loss Saturday (Feb. 14) afternoon, knocking off the Jaguars by a 69-62 decision. The Leathernecks (16-9 overall, 8-4 Summit League) picked up their first win inside the Jungle since Dec. 31, 2011, while completing the regular season sweep over the Jaguars (12-13, 7-5). With the victory, the Purple and Gold moved into a tie for second place in The Summit League standings, tied with South Dakota State, with four games remaining in the regular season.

Ashley Luke, Michelle Maher, and Tori Niemann led the way as the trio accounted for 55 of the team's 69 points (79.7%) Saturday afternoon. Luke led the charge with a double-double as she registered game-highs in points (25) and rebounds (16). Luke has now scored in double figures in 62 consecutive games and has tallied a double double in 15 out of the past 17 contests (11 out of the last 12).

Maher had her best game of the season, dropping a season-high 18 points. Twelve of Maher's 18 points came in the first half, a half in which the Park Ridge, Illinois, native was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field.

Niemann scored 12 points on the afternoon while adding six rebounds (three offensive) and a pair of steals. Saturday's contest marked the 18th time this season in which Niemann has scored in double figures.

"It was a huge win and probably one of the biggest since I have been at Western, maybe the biggest," said head coach JD Gravina. "We have now done something that no other conference team has done, beat North Dakota State at their place and beat IUPUI at home. I think that really shows what we are capable of and hopefully give us a little bit of confidence when do have to go on the road to the Dakotas. After the letup at Omaha I think we had some questions in our minds, and we answered them in practice. That carried over and we answered them today."

Despite holding the lead for just over 30 minutes Saturday, the decision hung in the balance until the very end as there were eight ties and 13 lead changes during the course of the game. Western could only build a lead lead of seven points against the Jags, opening out to an early 11-4 lead before regaining the seven point advantage in the closing seconds.

Western's quick 11-4 run over the opening five minutes forced a quick timeout by IUPUI. The Jaguars responded out of the timeout, regaining a 15-13 lead halfway through the opening 20 minutes. Over the final three minutes of the first half Western outscored the Jags by a 7-4 margin to take a 30-28 lead into the intermission, as Maher closed with the final five points for Western.

The second half was as close as the first half, as neither team was able to pull away from the other. With 4:50 remaining in the game, Nevena Markovic of IUPUI scored on a fast break to give IUPUI a one point lead and force a timeout by the Leathernecks. Western responded as Luke scored on a layup the next possession. Luke, who was fouled while converting the layup, couldn't connect on the free throw, but Niemann was there to secure the offensive rebound. With the possession still alive, Maher was able to slash into the lane for a layup. The four point possession gave the Leathernecks a three point lead that they would not relinquish in the final 4:30.

IUPUI battled to get back into the game, as the team cut Western's lead to one or two points on three separate occasions. Every Jaguar basket was answered by Western, and down the stretch the team converted from the charity stripe to seal the victory. In the final 25 seconds, Western went 7-of-8 from the free throw line, as Maher was a perfect 2-of-2 while freshman Emily Clemens was 5-of-6. As the buzzer sounded, the Purple and Gold walked out with its 16th victory of the season.

Both teams received a majority of their scoring from the paint, as Western (44 points in the paint) and IUPUI (42 paint points) both shot over 40 percent from the field. The two squads struggled from beyond the arc, as the Leathernecks (2-16) and Jaguars (2-11) combined for four made triples.

Western Illinois closes out its home schedule next weekend with a pair of Summit League contests. The Leathernecks will first square off against Oral Roberts on Thursday, Feb. 19, with tip-off slated for 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, will be Senior Day, as Western plays host to Denver. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the WIU men's basketball team. Niemann and Jenna Mueller, who will be making their final appearance inside Western Hall, will be honored during the Senior Day festivities.