MADISON, Wis. – The Western Illinois women’s basketball team (0-1) made it a one-possession game (48-45) in the third quarter and chipped away all game, but the Wisconsin Badgers (1-0) held on to take the season opener, 73-66 on Sunday (Nov. 29).
“I think we saw some really encouraging things for how little we have been able to practice at a team,” head coach JD Gravina said. “The truth is, we gave ourselves a chance to win if we knock down a couple of open threes in the second half. More than anything, it felt good to get on the floor and compete. A lot of people worked really hard on both ends to make this game possible, and we appreciate the efforts by our WIU administration and the folks at Wisconsin for pulling it together.”
Trailing by 11 (41-30) at the end of the half, the Leathernecks used the third quarter to cut into the deficit. Back-to-back assists from Sam Pryor set up layups for Danni Nichols and Evan Zars to make it a seven-point game, 41-34. Each side traded baskets before Zars maneuvered down low for the layup and made it a three-point game, forcing the Big Ten opponent to call a timeout.
Wisconsin took advantage of four consecutive WIU turnovers out of the break and ended the third quarter up 53-45. Western battled throughout the fourth and made it a two-possession game, 61-56 at 4:42 off a Nichols bucket, but the Badgers held on to secure the victory and snap a two-game losing streak against the Leathernecks.
Playing in her home state, Grace Gilmore made her presence known. The senior poured in a team-high 19 points, which tied her career-high, along with four assists and three steals. She scored the first points of the season with two successful free-throws in the first quarter as she concluded 11-15 at the line. Zars continued to make her immediate impact as she finished with her ninth career double-double, 17 rebounds (5 offensive), and 13 points while also blocking four shots. Nichols also ended in double-figures with 12 points.
Anna Deets made her collegiate debut in style. The guard drilled her first of two three-pointers at 3:07 to give the Leathernecks a 13-10 lead in the first quarter. Fellow newcomer Mallory McDermott also scored in her college debut as she was perfect 4-4 at the free-throw line.
The Leathernecks head to the third annual Compass Challenge from Dec. 4-5, which features all four cardinal direction schools — Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois, and Western Illinois — in Charleston, Ill. WIU begins the tournament against Southern Illinois on Friday (Dec. 4) at 3 p.m.
***Story courtesy of WIU Athletics***
