Leathernecks Travel To Bradley, Open League Play At Fort Wayne

Western Illinois hits the road for two straight to close out the calendar year.

Freshman Danni Nichols.

GAME FOURTEEN
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS at BRADLEY BRAVES
Dec. 28, 2017 • 7 p.m. • Peoria, Ill. • Renaissance Coliseum

LIVE STATS: HERE
ESPN3: HERE
LISTEN: HERE

GAME FIFTEEN
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS at FORT WAYNE MASTODONS
Dec. 30, 2017 • 1 p.m. (CST) • Fort Wayne, Ind. • Gates Sports Center
LIVE STATS: HERE
LISTEN: HERE
LIVE STREAM: HERE

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ROSTER | SCHEDULE | TICKETS | RECORD BOOK | @WIUWBB | GAME NOTES (BRADLEY) | #SUMMITWBB WEEKLY RELEASE

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MACOMB, Ill.— The Western Illinois women's basketball program concludes 2017 with a pair of road games at in-state rival Bradley (Dec. 28, 7 p.m.), followed by the first Summit League game of the season at Fort Wayne (Dec. 30, 1 p.m. (CST)).

ROAD WARRIORS:
Western Illinois has proven itself on the road this season, going 5-2 thus far. The Leathernecks have been on the road since Dec. 9, where they defeated Austin Peay 81-68. The Purple and Gold followed it up with a win over then-No. 18 Stanford (Dec. 18), followed by a loss at Gonzaga (Dec. 21). The Leathernecks aim to close out the new year with a 4-1 record for the five-game road slate.

LAST TIME OUT:
Western Illinois dropped only its third game of the season off an 80-65 decision on the road to Gonzaga Thursday night (Dec. 21).

-Morgan Blumer's 22 points mark her third 20-plus point performance this season and the ninth of her career… five made three-pointers ties a season high for the second time…
-Taylor Higginbotham recorded her second-straight double-double, which gives her five on the season…
-Emily Clemens' nine assists is her 51st career game of recording five or more assists…

CLEMENS EARNS espnW 'National Player of the Week':
As only the third Summit League player in history to earn a national-weekly award, Emily Clemens garnered her first-career 'National Player of the Week' honor after her 26-point performance against Stanford.

She also earned her sixth-career Summit League Player of the Week honor. To view the full release, click HERE.

SCOUTING BRADLEY:
The Braves are 5-5 overall, most recently falling 67-65 at home against Cleveland State (Dec. 19). They are led by Vanessa Markert and Shunseere Kent's 9.3 and 9.1 points per game. Head coach Andrea Gorski is in her second season at the helm of the Braves' program, which is also her alma mater.

The Leathernecks trail the all-time series 25-13, but have taken the last three matchups. Head coach JD Gravina is 3-1 against Bradley in his career at Western Illinois. Western Illinois has also won six of the last 10 meetings.

LAST MEETING

SCOUTING FORT WAYNE:
Western Illinois meets with Fort Wayne for its first game against Summit League competition. The team is led by second-year head coach Niecee Nelson, and are led by De'Jour Young's 11.9 points per game. The Mastodons are 3-10 overall entering the Dec. 30 contest against Western Illinois.

Western trails the all-time series 12-9, but has won the last six meetings, dating back to Jan. 2, 2015. Head coach JD Gravina is 9-6 in his career against the Mastodons.

2016-17: FIRST MEETING / SECOND MEETING

NEXT UP:
The Leatherneck open 2018 with a home stretch that features a Jan. 4 matchup against South Dakota, followed by a Jan. 6 game against Oral Roberts. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. inside Western Hall.

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).

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

Upcoming Events and Recent Results

Players Mentioned

#12 Morgan Blumer

#2 Emily Clemens

#24 Taylor Higginbotham

Players Mentioned

#12 Morgan Blumer

#2 Emily Clemens

#24 Taylor Higginbotham