Macomb, Ill. - The Western Illinois women's basketball team plays closes out a three-game homestand this Thursday, February 4, as the Leathernecks play host to Fort Wayne. Western, who own a 12-10 overall record and a 5-4 mark in Summit League play, look to complete the season-sweep over the Mastodons (5-17, 1-8). Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. inside Western Hall. Following Thursday's contest, the Leathernecks hit the road for a Saturday (Feb. 6) matchup at IUPUI (15-7, 6-3). Tip-off inside the Jungle is slated for 2 p.m. (CT).

MILITARY APPRECIATION/ROTC NIGHT: Thursday's contest against Fort Wayne is Military Appreciation and ROTC Night. Campus and community military members who dedicate their lives to our country that are in attendance will be recognized.
 

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

at IUPUI
Radio: 94.3 WRMS FM and 104.1 WMQZ FM
(also available online at wrmsfm.com)
Video: IUPUI Live
Live Stats: IUPUIJags.com

SERIES HISTORY: While Fort Wayne leads the all-time series, 10-8, the Leathernecks have won there-straight in the all-time series. The Leathernecks held off the Mastodons, 78-74, the first time the two teams met, back on January 7 in Fort Wayne. Michelle Maher (23), Emily Clemens (22), and Sophie Reichelt (20) combined for 65 of the 78 Leatherneck points. Western dropped a 68-60 decision to IUPUI the first time the teams met this season. Western, who now leads the all-time series, 26-14, was led by Sophie Reichelt's double-double (12 pts, 10 reb).

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 11.5 times per game, the fourth fewest in the country. The Leathernecks tally 15.2 assists per game, 2nd best in The Summit League, to record a 1.32 assist to turnover ratio, ninth-best in DI. Michelle Maher's 2.27 assist to turnover ratio is tops in The Summit League by NCAA standards and 31st nationally. Maher's backcourt teammate Emily Clemens is right behind Maher, as the sophomore's 2.14 assist to turnover ratio is second-best in the league according to the NCAA's statistics.

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 (667), fourth in 3-point field goals made (214), and seventh in threes per game (9.7). 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 34.

SENIOR LEADERS: The Leathernecks are led by a pair of veteran seniors in Michelle Maher and Sophie Reichelt. Reichelt currently shares the team lead in scoring and lead WIU in rebounding, averaging 14.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game while Maher, who has started 109-of-111 career games (out of 112 possible games) at Western, shares the scoring lead (14.2 ppg). Maher also runs the offense, as her 100 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 10.6, assist average to 3.6, and has surpassed her steal total from a season ago (31) with 53 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 1,297 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 (12.0 ppg) and has tallied 10 or more points in 14 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 7.8 points per game. McClintock has hit the 10-point mark on 10 occasions this year, including a career-high 17 against South Dakota

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 tied for second all-time with 413 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 69. 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.