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Western Illinois University Athletics

jada
57
Columbia (MO) Columb 0-0
70
Winner Western Ill. WIU 0-0,0-0 Summit League
Columbia (MO) Columb
0-0
57
Final
70
Western Ill. WIU
0-0,0-0 Summit League
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Columbia (MO) Columb 19 7 16 15 57
Western Ill. WIU 25 15 15 15 70

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | WIU Athletic Communications

Western Wins Exhibition Versus Columbia College

Three Leathernecks scored in double figures, WIU hosts Quincy next Tuesday (Nov. 1).

MACOMB, Ill. – Leatherneck women's basketball opened its 2022-23 campaign on Monday (Oct. 24), hosting the Cougars of Columbia College at Western Hall. Three Leathernecks finished in double figures as each of the team's 13 players appeared in the game.
 
"Ultimately I think we got out of it what we wanted to. That's the reason we brought in a good team. They are a national contender in the NAIA, good experienced team, and they're physical," head coach JD Gravina said. "We're just going to have to get to a point where we don't let our offense dictate our energy and you can't really simulate that in practice."
 
Columbia came out firing off the tip and both teams traded buckets, with the Cougars taking a 7-2 lead less than three minutes into the first quarter. The Leatherneck offense responded and came to life, tying the game one minute later thanks to a three pointer from Alissa Dins. The back-and-forth affair continued as the quarter progressed but it was WIU who took control in the second period of action, limiting Columbia College to just seven points and taking a 40-26 lead into the halftime break.
 
Western's offense got hot early in the third quarter and grew the lead to 19 points with 6:47 to go, but the Cougars stormed right back and brought the game to within single digits as the third quarter progressed into the fourth. However, started by a layup by Anna Deets with 2:53 remaining in the game, the Leathernecks finished the game on an 8-0 run and the game went final as a 70-57 victory for WIU.
 
Alissa Dins led all scorers with 17 points on 7-10 shooting, grabbing five rebounds while also recording both a block and steal. Jada Thorpe combined 16 points with four rebounds and three steals, while Elizabeth Lutz did a little bit of everything with 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Zareia Chevre led all bench players with 23 minutes of action and five points, while Allie Meadows (14), Mallory McDermott (13) and Addi Brownfield (11) finished with double-digit minutes.
 
"Alissa Dins really had a good showing and that's going to be huge for us, so for her to come out and play with confidence was nice. I thought our experienced players – Elizabeth, Jada, Anna – you kind of know what you're going to get out of them," Gravina said. "Our freshmen came in and did a really good job and I'm just excited about all three of those kids."
 
The Leathernecks shot 22-65 (35.5%) from the field in this one, making six shots from behind the arc and excelling at the free throw line, making 20 of 25 attempts. The Western Illinois defense came up in a big way, using seven steals and one block to force 19 Cougar turnovers, which were converted into 22 points. The bench also helped, pouring in 16 points.
 
Western is back in action next Tuesday (Nov. 1), hosting Quincy University an exhibition at Western Hall. Tip-off is scheduled 5 p.m. and will be followed by a men's basketball exhibition at 7:30 p.m.
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