Women's Basketball To Honor Seniors This Saturday Versus South Dakota State

The Leathernecks play host to the Jackrabbits Feb. 17 at 4:30 p.m.

GAME 27
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: WESTERN ILLINOIS LEATHERNECKS vs. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE JACKRABBITS
Feb. 17, 2018 • 4:30 p.m. • Macomb, Ill. • Western Hall

LIVE STATS: HERE
LISTEN: HERE
ESPN3 : HERE

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MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois plays host to South Dakota State this Saturday (Feb. 17) at 4:30 p.m. in the final home game of the regular season before a two-game road trip.

SENIOR DAY: The event marks Senior Day for Emily Clemens, Morgan Blumer, Olivia Braun, Taylor Hanneman, Krishna Merriman and Michelle Farrow. Prior to the game, all six will be honored at mid-court.

The final home game of the season also features:
-Free Dippin' Dots ice cream to the first 500 students
-Free Rocky Fidget Spinner for the first 350 students
-Free Cupcakes to celebrate Col. Rock's birthday
-A $100 drawing to the University Bookstore sponsored by University Housing and Dining Services
-A half-court shot following the game for a free $500 housing credit

LAST TIME OUT: Nine Leathernecks saw action in Monday's non-league finale and each contributed to the point total, as the Western Illinois women's basketball team defeated Eureka College, 98-46, inside of Western Hall Monday night (Feb. 12). The decision marked the Leathernecks' 19th win of the season. Both Emily Clemens and Taylor Higginbotham recorded double-doubles in the contest.

SCOUTING THE JACKRABBITS: South Dakota State is 21-5 overall with a 10-1 mark in league play. They are currently riding a five-game winning streak, most recently defeating Oral Roberts 96-72 at home (Feb. 10). They are led by the Macy Miller, who averages 18.1 points per game, along with fellow Summit Preseason All-League First Teamers in Madison Guebert (15.0 ppg) and Ellie Thompson (9.5 ppg). The Jacks got the best of Western in the last meeting, as they won 84-48 back on Jan. 20 in Brookings, S.D.

THE SERIES: South Dakota State leads the series 20-2. Both of the Purple and Gold's only wins have come inside Western Hall. Western Illinois defeated the Jackrabbits in the first-ever meeting on Jan. 14, 2008 (67-60) at home, followed by last season's meeting (Feb. 15, 2017) by a score of 83-77 at home.

DOUBLE-DOUBLES: Both Taylor Higginbotham and Emily Clemens hold the top-2 spots in The Summit League for the most double-doubles of 2018. Higginbotham leads the league with eight thus far, while Clemens follows with six.

THE SUPER SENIOR, CONTINUED: Emily Clemens still leads The Summit League in numerous categories. While she ranks second in points per game (17.9), she tops the league with a 2.69 assist/turnover ratio, and also leads in assists (207), assists per game (8.0), free throw attempts (165), free throws made (141), steals (82) and steals per game (3.15). Clemens also ranks in the top-10 nationally in assists (third), assists per game (fourth) and steals (ninth).

MAKING AN IMPACT: Between this group of six seniors dating back to the 2016-17 season, the Leathernecks are 45-14 (.762). Inside Western Hall, this senior class is 24-3 over that span.

LOOKING AHEAD: Western Illinois closes out the 2017-18 regular season campaign with a pair of road games at North Dakota State (Feb. 22) and Denver (Feb. 24).

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Players Mentioned

#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

#23 Krishna Merriman: F; 6' 1"; Senior; Pierce City / Missouri Southern State

Players Mentioned

#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

#23 Krishna Merriman
: 6' 1"; Senior; Pierce City / Missouri Southern State
: F