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Western Illinois University Athletics

Annabel Graettinger
Sarah Twidwell
83
Winner South Dakota USD 23-3, 11-1 SL
61
Western Illinois WIU 12-14, 8-5 SL
Winner
South Dakota USD
23-3, 11-1 SL
83
Final
61
Western Illinois WIU
12-14, 8-5 SL
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
South Dakota USD 15 24 19 25 83
Western Illinois WIU 16 12 13 20 61

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Leathernecks Fall at Home to No. 25 South Dakota

The Leathernecks played host to their second ‘Top 25’ opponent this season.

MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois women's basketball team saw its four-game winning snapped at home Saturday (Feb. 16) in an 83-61 Summit League matchup against No. 25 South Dakota. 

Annabel Graettinger and Olivia Kaufmann guided the Leathernecks with 15 points each, highlighted by a perfect 11-for-11 performance at the free throw line by Graettinger. 

"[South Dakota] makes everything so difficult," said head coach JD Gravina. "What was an open 3-pointer turned into a shot that they tip. We make a great cut to the basket, and they block the shot. I think we put ourselves in a position where if we would have had a hot shooting night, things may have been different. We could play with them offensively." 

The Leathernecks took a 6-2 lead (6:45) at the start of the game when Taylor Higginbotham fed Graettinger under the basket for an easy lay-in. The opening quarter featured a pair of runs from both sides – an 8-0 stretch by the Coyotes and an 8-2 spree by WIU – before ending in a 16-15 edge for the home team.

Danni Nichols pushed Western to its largest lead of the afternoon, 22-17, on a layup with 7:27 to go until halftime, as her team paced their visitors on the scoreboard for nearly eight minutes. USD used the 3-ball to gain separation, shooting 4-for-5 from behind the arc over a five-minute span, before entering the break up, 39-28. 

Kaufmann kicked off the third quarter with five unanswered points to pull Western within six, 39-33, at the 8:12-mark and the margin was the closest the rest of the way. 

The Leathernecks take to Western Hall for one final regular season matchup when they play host to Oral Roberts next Saturday at 4:30 p.m.


 
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