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Western Illinois University Athletics

Taylor Higginbotham
68
Western Illinois WIU 5-2
71
Winner Mizzou MU-W 5-2
Western Illinois WIU
5-2
68
Final
71
Mizzou MU-W
5-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Western Illinois WIU 14 17 21 16 68
Mizzou MU-W 11 23 19 18 71

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

Women's Basketball Falls To Missouri 71-68

Missouri edged the Leathernecks by three points in Columbia.

COLUMBIA, Mo. – In a game that featured 12 lead changes and ties, the Western Illinois Fighting Leatherneck women's basketball team fell 71-68 at Missouri on Tuesday night (Nov. 29).

"Obviously I thought it was a very hard-fought game for our players. It's good to know that we can go toe-to-toe with probably a 'Top 30' team in the nation," said head coach JD Gravina. "I thought it was two good teams battling it out, and I think that says a lot for our future. I know Mizzou did a good job dealing with their injuries, which changed the way they played. They still used their size and athleticism, which bothered us on the boards."

The Leathernecks held on to a 14-11 lead after the first quarter, and eventually jumped out in front by six after Morgan Blumer drained a shot from beyond the arc at the 9:22 mark in the second.

A 10-0 Missouri run put the Leathernecks in a 29-24 deficit with 2:30 to go until halftime, but WIU would pull to within three following a pair of Blumer free throws.

Emily Clemens hit a 3-pointer to open the third quarter, and then intercepted a pass to go coast-to-coast. That play put Western up 40-36 at the seven minute mark in the third.

Midway through the third quarter, Jasmine Patrick rejected a shot inside the paint, and on the next possession, Clemens knocked down a corner three and was fouled. She hit her free throw to complete the 4-point play, which put the Leathernecks up 46-45.

The Tigers got a layup as time expired in the third quarter, which put Western down by one entering the fourth quarter. With 7:45 to go in the game, Taylor Higginbotham knocked down a long 3-pointer to put the Purple and Gold up by one, and then hit a pair of free throws two minutes later, which gave Western a 60-58 lead.

After both teams traded baskets, Higginbotham got an and-1 for a 67-66 Western Illinois lead with 2:24 to play. Following a Tiger basket, Clemens was fouled and split her free throws, which tied the game at 68-68 with 1:17 to play.

A pair of Mizzou free throws put Western in a 70-68 hole, which forced the Leathernecks to foul. The Tigers went on to split the free throws, and that gave WIU a chance to tie the game up with a three pointer.

Both Blumer and Michelle Farrow had looks to tie the game, but the shots were not good to close out the game.

"It is definitely not a game that we should hang our heads on, and I think it will be a good learning experience," said Gravina. "We were ready to shoot a three as soon as they came at us, and our girls did a good job. I thought we had two average looks at the basket, so we did a pretty good job down the stretch in our decision-making."

The Leathernecks (5-2 overall) were led by Higginbotham's 19 points and seven rebounds, followed by Blumer's 18 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Clemens rounded out the double-digit scoring for Western, totaling 15 points with four assists and three steals.

Missouri (5-2) were led by the double-doubles from Sophie Cunningham (17 points, 10 rebounds) and Cierra Porter (13 points, 15 rebounds). Cunningham also had five assists, while Porter finished with five blocks.

Western Illinois caps off its four-game road slate at Marquette, this Friday (Dec.2) at 7 p.m. in Milwaukee, Wis.

PLAYER NOTES:
- Emily Clemens finished with 15 points, which marks the seventh-straight game she has recorded double-digit scoring…
- Olivia Braun tied her career-high of two assists for the fourth time this season…
- Mallory Boyle's three assists marks a new season high…
- Morgan Blumer tied her career-high in free throws made (five)…she also set a new career-high in minutes played (37)…
- Jasmine Patrick tied her season high in rebounds (six) and blocks (one) for the second time…
- Michelle Farrow tied her season high in rebounds (three) for the third time…
- Taylor Higginbotham (19 points) scored in double figures for the third straight game, fourth time this season.
   
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