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Western Illinois University Athletics

Taylor Higginbotham
78
Winner Western Illinois WIU 4-1
65
UMKC UMKC 1-2
Winner
Western Illinois WIU
4-1
78
Final
65
UMKC UMKC
1-2
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Western Illinois WIU 19 14 14 31 78
UMKC UMKC 15 12 23 15 65

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | WIU Athletic Communications

Western Illinois Secures Road Win Through Fourth Quarter Spark

Both Emily Clemens and Taylor Higginbotham recorded double-doubles.

KANSAS CITY, MO. – A 21-7 run in the final six minutes of the game helped the Western Illinois women's basketball team secure a 78-65 road win over Kansas City (1-2) on Tuesday (Nov. 22).

The Leathernecks (4-1) were led by double-double performances from Emily Clemens and Taylor Higginbotham.

Clemens finished with 20 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and four steals, while Higginbotham tallied a game-high 24 points and 11 boards.

The 4-1 start is the best start for the Leatherneck women's basketball team since the 2005-06 season (started 5-1).

"We played a really good fourth quarter. They (UMKC) had a good third quarter with that run and we were able to adjust our zone," said head coach JD Gravina. "I told our kids that it is easier to adjust your defense than your offense. We hit some shots and free throws down the stretch and were able to pull away. It's nice to have so many different kids who can step up and have good games. Taylor Higginbotham, who was struggling, came out with a big double-double today, and Emily Clemens still scored 20 points and had 10 assists, which is pretty unbelievable."

Kansas City held an 8-7 edge after the first quarter media timeout. A pair of back-to-back turnaround jumpers by Olivia Braun closed out the first quarter as Western led 19-15.

Western Illinois then jumped out to a 25-19 lead, following a 3-pointer by Michelle Farrow as the shot clock winded down. From there, a made 3-pointer by Clemens kept Western up by six, as they headed into the locker room for halftime with a 33-27 lead.

The Leathernecks kept their momentum early in the third quarter, as Braun drained a shot from beyond the arc. A long pass by Farrow followed, as she found Clemens in stride for the fast-break layup, which put Western up 38-31 at the 7:20 mark in the third.

The Kangaroos responded, however, and went on an 11-2 run, capped off by a corner three to put Western in a three-point deficit (50-47) after three quarters of play.

Western was able to regain the lead with just over five minutes to go after a Taylor Hanneman putback layup. Shortly after, a long 3-pointer and quick layup by Higginbotham on back-to-back possessions sparked 21-7 run. The Purple and Gold closed out the game by going a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe, which sealed the 13-point win.

"The big thing was that we were able to out-rebound them. I told our girls that if we win the trenches, we can win the game," said Gravina. "When you can also put up 31 points in the fourth quarter, it can make teams difficult to play against you. Obviously this was way closer than a 13-point game, but that's how road games are."

Western Illinois continues its road-game slate with a Nov. 27 matchup at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.

NOTES:
Taylor Higginbotham's 24 points against UMKC was 1-point shy of tying her career-high, she's scored 25 points twice (last time vs. Southern Illinois on March 17, 2016)…Her 11 rebounds was also one shy of tying her career high of 12 (vs. SEMO on Nov. 24, 2015)…Both her 24 points and 11 rebounds are season highs…she also set season highs in free throws made (4-for-4) and field goals made (eight)…she tied her season high of four 3-point field goals made…her 24 points and 11 rebounds marks her first double-double of the 2016-17 season (her fifth-career double-double)…

Emily Clemens recorded her fourth career double-double and her third this season…she now has three games with 10 or more assists this season…she also set season highs in  3-point field goals made (4-for-6) and tied her career-high of seven rebounds for the fourth time…

Olivia Braun tied her career-high of 11 points for the second time…she also tied her career-high of three blocks in a game for the third time this season…one made 3-point field goal ties her career high for the second time.  
 
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