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Western Illinois University Athletics

Danni Nichols
Josh Purnell
61
Maryville (MO) Mary 0-0,0-0 GLVC
78
Winner Western Ill. WIU 0-0,0-0 Summit League
Maryville (MO) Mary
0-0,0-0 GLVC
61
Final
78
Western Ill. WIU
0-0,0-0 Summit League
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Maryville (MO) Mary 17 12 19 13 61
Western Ill. WIU 10 23 24 21 78

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Zars' Strong Debut Aids in Leatherneck Win

Evan Zars notched a double-double in her first appearance as a Leatherneck to aid in the 78-61 victory over the Saints.

Macomb, Ill. – Western Illinois women's basketball kicked off the 2019-20 season Tuesday (Oct. 24), as it took on the Maryville Saints in an exhibition game in Western Hall. 

Evan Zars had a standout performance in her debut as a Leatherneck with a double-double notching 17 rebounds and 10 points. Leading the team's scoring efforts was Danni Nichols with 22 points closely and Olivia Kaufmann followed closely with 20. 

Hitting a three-pointer two minutes into the first quarter, Nichols was the first player to put points on the board.  The Leathernecks held on to their lead for the first four minutes until the Saints made a layup to take a 6-5 edge, and Maryville finished the frame on an 11-5 run. 
 
Grace Gilmore kicked off scoring in the second stanza to ignite the Leatherneck comeback. On a 9-3 scoring run, WIU took a 22-21 lead on a jump shot from Zars, and remained ahead to secure a 33-29 lead at halftime.

A jump shot from Kaufmann started Western in the fourth quarter with an 11 lead. Their largest lead (16) of the game came at two minutes remaining as Annabel Graettinger sinks a jumper at 73-59. Western finished the game with a series of free throws from Nichols and Elizabeth Lutz to end the game 78-61.

The Leathernecks led by double digits for a majority of the final quarter, and jumped out to a 16-point advantage (73-54), their largest of the game, at the two minute mark. 
 
The Leathernecks will be back in Western Hall Tuesday (Oct. 29) for their second exhibition game as they tango with Quincy before heading to Missouri for their regular-season opener Tuesday Nov. 5.
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