MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois women's basketball team returns home to start a three-game homestand this Wednesday, January 27, as the Leathernecks welcome South Dakota to town. WIU, who dropped a league contest at South Dakota State, sit at 11-9 overall and 4-3 in Summit League action. The Coyotes, and preseason Summit League Player of the Year Nicole Seekamp, head to Macomb on a five-game winning streak with a record of 15-5 (6-1). Tip-off inside Western Hall is set for 7 p.m. and can be seen live on ESPN3.

SUMMIT LEAGUE FOOD FIGHT: The Western Illinois women's basketball team will be participating in the annual Summit League "Food Fight" game this Wednesday inside Western Hall. Five cans of food can be exchanged for a $5 general admission ticket, but fans are encouraged to donate as much canned food as they like. Individuals who have already purchased tickets can still donate canned food and food can be dropped off at the ticket booth at the entrance of Western Hall.
 

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

SERIES HISTORY: Western Illinois and South Dakota have met nine times previously, with the Coyotes owning a 8-1 advantage in the series. The Coyotes took the season series last year, picking up a 101-87 victory in Macomb and a 78-75 decision in Vermillion. The Leathernecks fought the Coyotes to the wire on the road, as Western had a 3-pointer at the buzzer go in-and-out.

THREES FOR DAYS: The Leathernecks are one of the most prolific 3-point shooting teams in the country, as the team ranks third nationally in 3-point field goals attempted (613), fifth in 3-point field goals made (192), and sixth in threes per game (9.6). Five Leathernecks (Sophie Reichelt, Taylor Higginbotham, Michelle Maher, Taylor McClintock, and Michelle Farrow) have tallied at least 20 triples on the year, led by Maher's 33.

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 14.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while Maher, who has started 107-of-109 career games (out of 110 possible games)at Western, averages 13.6 points per game this season to rank second on the team. Maher also runs the offense, as her 85 assists are tops for the Leathernecks. 

THE RISE OF CLEMENS: Emily Clemens averaged 5 points and 2.4 assists off the bench as a freshman. This year, Clemens has started every game, seeing her minutes per game rise by over 10 a game. On the court, Clemens has upped her scoring average to 10.8, assist average to 3.7, and has surpassed her steal total from a season ago (31) with 48 this year. Clemens had a stretch this season where she scored 10 or more points in seven straight contests, including a career-high 27 points against North Dakota State.

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 9th place on the all-time scoring list with 1,256 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 third on the team in scoring (12.2 ppg) and has tallied 10 or more points in 13 games 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 fifth on the team, averaging 7.0 points per game. McClintock has hit the 10-point mark on seven occasions this year.

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 11.6 times per game, the third fewest in the country. The Leathernecks tally 15.2 assists per game, 2nd best in The Summit League, to record a 1.31 assist to turnover ratio, eighth-best in DI. Michelle Maher's 2.30 assist to turnover ratio is tops in The Summit League by NCAA standards and 32nd nationally. Maher's backcourt teammate Emily Clemens is right behind Maher, as the sophomore's 2.03 assist to turnover ratio is second-best in the league according to the NCAA's statistics.

MILITARY TIES: Junior Jasmine Patrick truly embodies Western Illinois' military lineage. Prior to enrolling in college, Patrick spent five years serving active duty in the U.S. Navy.

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 third all-time with 398 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 68. 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.

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.