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Western Illinois University Athletics

Nichols
Larry Dean
39
MacMurray College MACW 0-0
136
Winner Western Illinois WIU 1-2
MacMurray College MACW
0-0
39
Final
136
Western Illinois WIU
1-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
MacMurray College MACW 2 8 14 15 39
Western Illinois WIU 30 38 33 35 136

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

Leathernecks Shatter Records for First Win of the Season

Western Illinois broke its program scoring and three-point field goals made in a game record against MacMurray College.

MACOMB, Ill.— The Western Illinois (1-2) women's basketball team broke the program scoring and three-point field goals made record in a 136-39 win over MacMurray College on Monday night (Nov. 12).  

"I thought our girls did a good job," head coach JD Gravina said. "It's tough to play in those games, we didn't want to form bad habits and we want to play the way that we play. When you have that sense of urgency but you still stay relaxed is a takeaway from the game today."

Elizabeth Lutz scored eight points in the span of 50 seconds on a fast break layup and two three-pointers as the Leathernecks started the game on a 13-0 run through the first three minutes. Taylor Higginbotham, Danni Nichols and Avery Hamm all buried triples in the final three minutes of the first quarter for a commanding 30-2 lead after one.
 
Another freshman, Mackenzie Rogers started to feel it from behind the arc with two trifectas at the six-minute mark of the second quarter as Western was cruising 44-9. The Leathernecks led 68-10 at halftime, the most points at the half since they dropped 56 in the first half against Omaha on March 4, 2018 in the Summit League tournament.
 
A trio of threes by Avery Hamm opened up the first two and a half minutes of the third quarter while Western Illinois controlled the game 77-14. With 3:51 remaining in the third quarter, Olivia Kaufmann connected an open look from deep to break the Leatherneck women's basketball program record for three-point field goals made in a game that was previously 19 against North Dakota State on Jan. 27, 2018.
 
After the victory, JD Gravina passed Bea Yeager for second all-time in career wins at Western Illinois with 122.
 
"They kept me around long enough," Gravina said. "It means a lot to me that I've had a lot of loyalty to this program. The Macomb community has meant so much to my family and have been so welcoming."
 
Lutz led seven scorers in double-digits with 23 points while dishing out four assists. Kaufmann was next with 21 points while pulling down seven rebounds and Annabel Graettinger poured in 20 points. Rogers broke out for 19 points and Avery Hamm sank four three-pointers for her 12 points. Danni Nichols and Taylor Higginbotham each scored 11 points to round out the double-digit scoring. 

The Leathernecks hit the road for the state of Indiana to take on Big Ten opponent Purdue inside Mackey Arena on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. (CT).
 
PROGRAM NOTES:
- 136 points broke the team single-game scoring record of 132 points during the 1977-78 season against Maryville...
- 28 made three-point field goals broke the Western Illinois program record of 19 set on Jan. 27, 2018 against North Dakota State...
- 2 points is the second lowest allowed in a quarter since Denver scored two points in the first quarter of a Summit League tournament game on March 4, 2017...
- 10 points allowed at halftime is the fewest since Monmouth College scored nine points through the first half on Nov. 11, 2016...
- Western Illinois scored 100 points or more for the 28th time in program history...
- JD Gravina earned his 122nd win at Western Illinois to pass Bea Yeager (1971-82) for second most wins in program history...
- The last time six or more players scored in double figures was Jan. 18, 2018 against Purdue Fort Wayne...
- 30 steals is tied for third as a team in program history...
- 43 forced turnovers ranks fifth all-time in program history...

PLAYER NOTES:
- Taylor Higginbotham is only five points away from passing Tiffany Cornelius (2001-2004) for seventh on the program career scoring list...
- Mackenzie Rogers made five three-point field goals, the first time since Morgan Blumer hit five against Eureka College on Feb. 12, 2018...
- Kyra Washington made her Leathernecks women's basketball debut and scored nine points...
 
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