FORT WAYNE, Ind. - It was the Danni Nichols and Evan Zars show on Tuesday (Feb. 4) night as the duo combined for 50 points in an 83-74 defeat of the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons (5-18, 1-9).
"They (Nichols and Zars) both had tremendous games, and it's awesome to think they are both sophomores," head coach JD Gravina said. "It's tough when a team lays off guarding you, and Evan showed she is an excellent shooter. She found that balance and took some good shots while starting to find herself as an interior scorer."
"Danni has been just playing amazing, finishing around the basket, and going up strong. She creates a matchup problem, especially when she is shooting the ball, she is a weapon."
A six-point game (78-72, WIU) at 1:24 in the fourth quarter, the Western Illinois women's basketball team (13-11, 7-4) sealed the last Summit League sweep of PFW before they join Horizon League in the 2020-21 season at the free-throw line.
On a career-high performance (25 points), Zars set the tone on both sides of the ball for the Leathernecks in the first quarter. A successful and-one at 4:56 began a 13-4 swing for a 20-16 lead. She swatted a total of three shots for her tenth consecutive game with a block as Western finished with seven total for the second time this season with the last being at Purdue (Nov. 17).
The 'Dons tied it 29-29 in the second quarter with a 10-0 run at 3:51 behind a total of 14 free-throws on 16 trips to the line. Western used the same approach and back-to-back trips at the charity stripe from Sam Pryor and Zars pushed a 6-0 run for a two-point lead at the half. (38-36).
Western Illinois came out of half time silencing the Gates Sports Center on an 8-0 run led by Grace Gilmore and Nichols for a 10-point lead (46-36). Nichols was only one point away from tying her career-high (26) she set at North Dakota (Jan. 26) this season.
The Purple and Gold closed out a high scoring third quarter with a rare five-point possession for a 63-56 advantage in the final frame. Zars drilled her third three of the night as Olivia Kaufmann was fouled to earn a trip to the free-throw line.
Kaufmann carved up the Mastodons in the fourth. The senior guard totaled 4 points and two assists on the first eight points for the Leathernecks en route to 15 points and five assists.
WIU has nine days off before resuming play at on the road undefeated #22 South Dakota on Thursday (Feb. 13).
