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Western Illinois University Athletics

Taylor Higginbotham
62
Denver DEN 3-13 (0-3)
87
Winner Western Illinois WIU 12-4 (2-1)
Denver DEN
3-13 (0-3)
62
Final
87
Western Illinois WIU
12-4 (2-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Denver DEN 15 17 17 13 62
Western Illinois WIU 21 24 17 25 87

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

Western Illinois Cruises Past Denver Behind Higginbotham's Career-High 28 Points

The Leathernecks improve to 2-1 in Summit League Play.


PHOTO GALLERY

MACOMB, Ill. – A career-high 28-point performance by sophomore Taylor Higginbotham propelled the Fighting Leatherneck women's basketball team to an 87-62 win over Denver.

"Denver has played everybody close. They went into South Dakota and played them close there. We did a really good job," said head coach JD Gravina, who picked up his 199th career win. "I thought they would be a tough matchup defensively for us because they shoot the ball well. Besides a couple of mistakes, that was the best we've done against Denver's personnel, which was a point of emphasis."

The Leathernecks (12-4, 2-1 in Summit League) jumped out to a 17-7 lead at the first quarter media timeout. Western held on by six at the conclusion of the first. The Pioneers, however, sparked a 12-4 run in the second quarter to cut it to within two.

The lead increased to 31-24 in favor of Western after a 6-0 spurt. With time winding down in the second quarter, Morgan Blumer received the ball at the elbow and knocked down a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. The Leathernecks eventually closed out the first half up 45-32 behind Higginbotham's 18 points in the first half. Western also hit all eight of its total team 3-pointers in the first two quarters.

Western opened up the third quarter with a huge block by Olivia Braun, and eventually maintained a 51-39 lead at the 6:11 mark in the third. A 9-0 run over a three minute span gave the Purple and Gold a 19-point cushion. After three quarters of play, the Leathernecks held on to a 62-49 advantage heading into the fourth.

Higginbotham broke her previous career-high of 25 points after netting her 26th point off a free throw to put her team ahead 70-51 with 7:24 to go. The play of the game came at the 3:52 mark when Emily Clemens dished the ball to Morgan Blumer after going coast-to-coast and beating her defender with a crossover. That play made it an 80-56 game in the fourth quarter, and Western eventually closed out the 25-point win for its second Summit League win.
Higginbotham's 28 was on 9-of-15 shooting, and she also chipped in six rebounds and five assists.

"Taylor played really well. I know she wanted to do a better job after the IUPUI game. She got some confidence and got to the free throw line," said Gravina. "I thought both her and Morgan Blumer had tremendous games. They really opened up the offense for us."

Blumer's 25 points came off only three missed shots the entire night (8-of-11, 4-for-6 from three) and she also recorded eight rebounds. Clemens was the third and final Leatherneck who scored in double figures with 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.

The Pioneers' (3-13, 0-3) leading scorer was Lauren Loven, who had a team-high 18 points, followed by Jacqlyn Poss' 15.

"We got to the free throw line and we accomplished our goals tonight, but we have a quick turnaround for Oral Roberts," said Gravina.

The Leathernecks return home this Saturday, Jan. 7 for a 4:30 p.m. matchup against Oral Roberts, immediately following the men's team as part of a home doubleheader.  

PLAYER NOTES:
-Emily Clemens recorded her 15th double-digit scoring game of the season and the 30th of her career… her five assists also marks her 11th game of five-plus assists this season and the 26th of her career… Clemens is also now tied for eighth all-time in program history for career assists with 314…
-Olivia Braun tied her career-high of eight rebounds for the third time… also tied her season-high of three free throws made for the second time…
-Morgan Blumer's 25 points marks her third career 20-plus point performance… 25 points is her second-highest single-game scoring performance (career-high 30 points at Milwaukee on Nov. 16, 2016)… also tied her career-high of five free throws made for the third time…
-Taylor Hanneman tied her season-high of two assists for the second time…
-Taylor Higginbotham's 28 points marks a new career-high (previously recorded 25 points twice)… also tied her career-high of nine field goals made for the second time this season, third time in her career… tied her season high of seven free throws made for the second time this season, third time in her career… 28 points marks her 10th double-digit scoring performance of the season and the 31st of her career… also her third 20-plus point effort this season (career eighth)… fifth time this season as the scoring leader (11th of her career)…  
 
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