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Western Illinois University Athletics

Ashley Luke
Nicholas Stewart
49
Western Illinois WIU 17-11, 9-6
69
Winner South Dakota State SDSU 20-8, 11-4
Western Illinois WIU
17-11, 9-6
49
Final
69
South Dakota State SDSU
20-8, 11-4
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Western Illinois WIU 22 27 49
South Dakota State SDSU 35 34 69

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | WIU Athletic Media Services

Leathernecks Fall on the Road to South Dakota State

Ashley Luke’s double double (18 points, 11 rebounds) not enough as Leathernecks begin final roadtrip of the regular season

BROOKINGS, S.D. – The Western Illinois women's basketball team opened its final roadtrip of the regular season Thursday (Feb. 26) evening, taking on second-place South Dakota State. The Leathernecks, who entered the contest tied for third in The Summit League, were unable to come away with victory as the Jackrabbits walked away with a 69-49 decision. Western falls to 9-6 in Summit League play (17-11 overall) while SDSU moved to 11-4 in the league (20-8 overall).
 
With one regular season game remaining, Western remains tied for third in the league with IUPUI, who fell at league leading South Dakota Thursday night. SDSU remains one game behind South Dakota for the top spot in The Summit League.
 
The Leathernecks were paced offensively by Ashley Luke, who earlier in the day was honored as the Capital One Academic All-America of the Year for Division I women's basketball. Luke recorded her 19th double double of the season in the losing effort as she tallied game-highs in points (18) and rebounds (11, seven offensive), while also picking up three assists, two blocks, and a steal. Luke has now recorded a double double in nine consecutive games, and 18 of the past 20 contests, and extended her streak of games scoring in double figures to 65-straight.
 
"I thought we got off to a good start offensively but defensively we made some plays that we had keyed-in on before the game that led to easy baskets for South Dakota State," said head coach JD Gravina. "We came out of halftime and switched some things up that worked on both ends of the court, but by that point it was hard for us to catch up."
 
It was a closely contested game out of the gate, as Emily Clemens' free throw with 12:18 remaining in the half cut the Jackrabbit lead to 15-13. South Dakota State would proceed to go on a 17-3 run over the next 7:55 of game action to take control of the first half with a 32-16 advantage.
 
At the half, SDSU held a 35-22 lead after shooting 48.1% from the field (13-of-27) in the opening 20 minutes.
 
The first 10 minutes of the second half remained a double-digit lead for South Dakota State, as the two teams traded baskets back and forth. Western looked poised to make a run to get back into the game, as a 6-0 spurt over 33 seconds cut the Jackrabbit lead to single digits at 51-42.
 
Luke converted the old-fashioned three point play as she was fouled while scoring to get the run started and Tori Niemann connected on a triple seconds later. Niemann ended the game as Western's only other player in double figures as she finished with 12 points.
 
The momentum was short-lived, as SDSU answered with six unanswered points and closed out the final minutes of the game en route to the 20-point victory.
 
Western closes out the regular season on Saturday, February 28, as they travel to league leading South Dakota. Tip-off between the Leathernecks and Coyotes is set for 1:30 p.m. The game will be broadcasted as part of the ESPN Full Court package, and will also be available on WatchESPN (T.V. subscription required).
 
 
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