DeKalb, Ill. - The Western Illinois women's basketball team will look ahead to Summit League play after a 60-52 loss to Eastern Illinois Friday (Dec. 20) to conclude the Compass Challenge.
While the Leathernecks forced 27 turnovers and recorded 17 steals, cold shooting droughts gave way for the EIU third-place finish.
Down 55-47 at 3:17 in the fourth, Western battled until the last second and made it a four-point game after back-to-back buckets from Annabel Graettinger and Sam Pryor. However, the Leathernecks found rhythm too late.
Carla Flores checked in midway through the first quarter and led the defensive pressure that totaled seven steals as she snatched three of her own for Western to lead 16-15. She added one more steal to set a new career-high.
The Panthers caught fire from beyond the arc and strung together an 11-2 run to begin the second quarter and lead 28-19. Western responded with an 8-0 run started by an Evan Zars with the steal and layup at 2:37 to make it 32-29 into half. She was named to the All-Tournament team after finishing with 22 points and 24 boards.
Following the holiday break, South Dakota will be the first Summit League competitor to enter Western Hall. The league opener is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 29, at 2 p.m.
