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Western Illinois University Athletics

Elementary Day
69
Mo. Baptist MoBap 0-2
90
Winner Western Ill. WIU 4-4,0-0 Summit League
Mo. Baptist MoBap
0-2
69
Final
90
Western Ill. WIU
4-4,0-0 Summit League
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Mo. Baptist MoBap 14 7 23 25 69
Western Ill. WIU 21 27 25 17 90

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Record-Setting Crowd Cheers Leathernecks on to Victory

There were 1,624 screaming fans packed inside Western Hall for Elementary Day.

MACOMB, Ill. - An electrifying, record-setting crowd of 1,624 packed Western Hall Tuesday (Nov. 26) morning to cheer the Western Illinois women's basketball team on to a 90-69 victory over Missouri Baptist. Elementary Day welcomed kids of all ages – even the young at heart – and Western put on a show to lead the entire 40 minutes.

The team's previous attendance record (1,596) was set against South Dakota on Feb. 25, 2017.  The Leathernecks also attempted a Guinness World Record Tuesday for the most individuals doing the floss dance at one time and will be awaiting confirmation. 

"What a great event inside Western Hall," said head coach JD Gravina. "It's amazing to see so many young people excited about WIU and our women's basketball program. So many people worked really hard to make it work. Former coach Seth Minter really got the ball rolling and did a lot of the back work, and then Keri Dodson and Diane Cassimire took it and ran with it. Our entire department and administration pitched in to make it a great experience. We can't thank the schools, teachers, and kids enough for making it a wonderful day!"

The Leathernecks claimed two double-digit scorers at the break, guided by Danni Nichols' perfect 6-for-6 effort from the field. She and Annabel Graettinger poured in 13 and 11 points, respectively, as Western held a 48-21 advantage at halftime. 

A 3-pointer by Jinda Guidinger lifted Western to its largest lead (70-32) with 3:24 left in the third quarter, and the Leathernecks received a basket from 12 of their 13 available players.

Nichols later banked in the first points of the third frame en route to a season-high 21. The redshirt-sophomore missed just one shot from the field (a three-pointer at the 8:04 mark of the third quarter) and finished 9-for-10. She was joined in double figures by Grace Gilmore (13) and Graettinger (11).  

Following Thanksgiving Break, the Leathernecks will gear up for two road tests in Illinois State (Dec. 4) and Chicago State (Dec. 7).
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