Women’s Basketball Opens 2017-18 Against Kansas City

Head coach JD Gravina aims for his 100th win at Western Illinois Friday.

GAME ONE
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS VS KANSAS CITY KANGAROOS
Nov. 10, 2017 • 7:30 p.m. (CT) • Macomb, Ill. • Western Hall
LIVE STATS: HERE
ESPN3: HERE
LISTEN: HERE

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MID MAJOR POLL
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SIGNS THREE

ROSTER | SCHEDULE | TICKETS | RECORD BOOK | @WIUWBB | GAME NOTES

MACOMB, Ill. — Hoops season has arrived. Western Illinois opens the 2017-18 season with three straight contests inside Western Hall. The Leathernecks take on Kansas City Friday (Nov. 10) at 7:30 p.m. (CT) to open the new campaign live on ESPN3.

GRAVINA APPROACHING 100:
Western Illinois head coach JD Gravina is currently at 99 wins in his career for the Leatherneck program. His .532 winning percentage ranks the highest of any coach in the history of the program, while his 99 wins are the third-most in history.

Coaching Record By Winning Percentage

Coach	Record	Pct.	Years
JD Gravina	99-87	.532	2012-Present
Bea Yeager	121-115	.515	1971-82
Leslie Crane	192-185	.509	1998-2011
Regina Miller	60-101	.373	1992-98
Kelly Hill	45-115	.281	1982-86
Teresa Check	23-85	.213	1982-86
Kathy Markey	5-21	.179	1985-86

Coaching Record By Wins

Coach	Record	Pct.	Years
Leslie Crane	192-185	.509	1998-2011
Bea Yeager	121-115	.515	1971-1982
JD Gravina	99-87	.532	2012-Present
Regina Miller	60-101	.373	1992-98
Kelly Hill	45-115	.281	1982-86
Teresa Check	23-85	.213	1982-86
Kathy Markey	5-21	.179	1985-86

PRESEASON RECOGNITION:
Coming off a stellar and record-breaking 2016-17 campaign, the Leathernecks return a total of eight players and five seniors for the upcoming season. In total, the veteran class includes six seniors in Emily Clemens, Olivia Braun, Morgan Blumer, Michelle Farrow, Taylor Hanneman and newcomer Krishna Merriman, while Taylor Higginbotham is the lone junior on the squad.

Western Illinois women's basketball was selected second in the preseason standings, the league office announced Wednesday (Oct. 4). The Leathernecks also had a trio of players selected to Preseason All-League honors in Clemens Preseason Player of the Year, First Team), Blumer (First Team) and Higginbotham (Second Team).

SERIES HISTORY:
Western Illinois leads the all-time series 26-17 over Kansas City. The Leathernecks took the last meeting against the Kangaroos on the road last season off a 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 Leathernecks have won the last four matchups against UMKC.

SCOUTING THE ROOS:
Kansas City recently concluded an exhibition game against William Jewell on Nov. 2, where they won 75-64. The team's returning scorer is Samantha Waldron, who averaged 11.8 points per game last season. They are led by first-year head coach Jacie Hoyt.

RING CEREMONY ANNOUNCEMENT:
On Sunday (Nov. 12) the Leathernecks take on Illinois College at 4:30 p.m. Fans are encouraged to come early to the game to celebrate the 2016-17 Summit League Title, as the team will be presented its championship rings along with the unveiling of the championship banner.

LEATHERNECK SPORTS NETWORK:
Fans can hear Danny Frey call all of the women's basketball games throughout the area on the Leatherneck Sports Network.

Flagship: 94.3 FM WRMS (Beardstown) Affiliates: 104.1 FM WMQZ (Macomb) | 106.7 FM WPWQ (Quincy).

TICKET INFORMATION:
Single-game tickets are now on sale since Monday, Oct. 20. Leatherneck Club members can also purchase single game tickets since Oct. 13, 2017. Click here to learn more about the Leatherneck Club. For more ticketing information, fans can also visit LeatherneckTickets.com.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Morgan Blumer: G; 5' 11"; Junior; Milton / Florida Gulf Coast

#3 Olivia Braun: F; 6' 1"; Junior; St. Catherine's / Toledo

#2 Emily Clemens: G; 5' 4"; Junior; Muscatine

#22 Michelle Farrow: G; 5' 10"; Junior; Waukesha West

#24 Taylor Higginbotham: G; 5' 10"; Sophomore; Germantown

#14 Taylor Hanneman: G; 5' 10"; Junior; Illini Bluffs / Mercer

#12 Morgan Blumer: G; 5' 11"; Senior; Milton / Florida Gulf Coast

#3 Olivia Braun: F; 6' 1"; Senior; St. Catherine's / Toledo

#2 Emily Clemens: G; 5' 4"; Senior; Muscatine

#22 Michelle Farrow: G; 5' 10"; Senior; Waukesha West

#14 Taylor Hanneman: G; 5' 10"; Senior; Illini Bluffs / Mercer

#24 Taylor Higginbotham: G; 5' 10"; Junior; Germantown

Players Mentioned

#12 Morgan Blumer
: 5' 11"; Junior; Milton / Florida Gulf Coast
: G

#3 Olivia Braun
: 6' 1"; Junior; St. Catherine's / Toledo
: F

#2 Emily Clemens
: 5' 4"; Junior; Muscatine
: G

#22 Michelle Farrow
: 5' 10"; Junior; Waukesha West
: G

#24 Taylor Higginbotham
: 5' 10"; Sophomore; Germantown
: G

#14 Taylor Hanneman
: 5' 10"; Junior; Illini Bluffs / Mercer
: G

#12 Morgan Blumer
: 5' 11"; Senior; Milton / Florida Gulf Coast
: G

#3 Olivia Braun
: 6' 1"; Senior; St. Catherine's / Toledo
: F

#2 Emily Clemens
: 5' 4"; Senior; Muscatine
: G

#22 Michelle Farrow
: 5' 10"; Senior; Waukesha West
: G

#14 Taylor Hanneman
: 5' 10"; Senior; Illini Bluffs / Mercer
: G

#24 Taylor Higginbotham
: 5' 10"; Junior; Germantown
: G