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Western Illinois University Athletics

Olivia Kaufmann
92
Winner Western Illinois WIU 6-12, 2-3
80
North Dakota UND 8-10, 3-2
Winner
Western Illinois WIU
6-12, 2-3
92
Final
80
North Dakota UND
8-10, 3-2
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Western Illinois WIU 13 19 33 27 92
North Dakota UND 16 16 20 28 80

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Leathernecks Triumph in First Summit League Matchup at North Dakota

Western defeated UND, 92-80, behind a career-high 28 points from Olivia Kaufmann.

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Western Illinois women's basketball team will leave the state of North Dakota with a pair of firsts; it's true first road win of the season, in its first Summit League matchup against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. 

Western defeated UND, 92-80, inside the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center Sunday afternoon (Jan. 13), where Taylor Higginbotham also set the program's career record in 3-pointers made. 

"That was a really big win," said head coach JD Gravina. "It's big to split this trip, but I'm proud of the way this team has rallied. They've just had great attitudes all year. A lot of teams would have just hanged their heads, after a tough loss at North Dakota State [a 68-60 decision], but this team was really hungry." 

Five different Leathernecks had their hand in the teams 10-7 edge midway through the opening quarter before things flipped into a 16-13 lead for the Hawks at the frame's end. Neither side shot particularly well from the floor – combining for just 10 made field goals – but the game appeared evenly matched. 

Kyra Washington became a solid source of offense as she came off the bench with eight first-half points. Her 3-pointer with 7:18 to go until halftime closed the Leathernecks' deficit to 19-16 and she later rattled in another to lock the score at 23-23.

At the break, the box score read: Western Illinois 32, North Dakota 32, and then Olivia Kaufmann happened. 

She was already pacing the team with 13 points, and added five unanswered, in what was eventually a 9-2 run, to start the third quarter. The Leathernecks held a 47-38 advantage at 6:46, and kept their foot on the gas the rest of the afternoon. 

Higginbotham splashed a 3-ball at the 2:35 mark of the stanza, and with it, moved to No. 1 all-time on Western's career 3-point list. Michelle Maher (2013-16) previously held the record at 221, and the program's newest title holder currently possesses 222. 

The end of the third quarter saw Western up, 65-52, shooting 50 percent (21-42) from the floor. 

"We did a great job at attacking the basket, and playing to our strengths. It's nice to win this game. We shot 5-of-20 from the three, and we've been known for hitting a lot of 3-pointers to win games, but obviously, Olivia Kaufmann just had a tremendous game. I think Taylor Higginbotham got some really big rebounds, Anabelle Graettinger played really well, and Danni and Grace really battled at the basket." 

Four Leathernecks finished in double-figures, guided by a career-high 28 points from Kaufmann, which also tied for the most scored this season. Danni Nichols contributed 17 points and was trailed by Higginbotham (12) and Anabelle Graettinger (11). 

The Leathernecks return home for their next two games in a Wednesday tip-off against Omaha at 7 p.m. and a Saturday matchup against Purdue Fort Wayne at 4:30 p.m. 

 
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