GAMES TWO, THREE, and FOUR
Who | Western Illinois (0-1) vs. Northern Illinois (0-1), vs. Eastern Illinois (1-0), and at Indiana State (1-1)
When | Saturday (Dec. 5) at 2 p.m. – Sunday (Dec. 6) at 2 p.m. – Monday (Dec. 7) at 5 p.m.
Where | Lantz Arena – Charleston, Ill. and Hulman Center – Terre Haute, Ind.
TV | ESPN+
Tip-Off | The Western Illinois women’s basketball team embarks on three games in three days. The Leathernecks first head to the third annual Compass Challenge to take on Northern Illinois on Saturday (Dec. 5) and Eastern Illinois on Sunday (Dec. 6).
Western concludes the stretch with a road contest against Indiana State on Monday (Dec. 7).
Series History vs. Opponents |
EIU leads, 36-20
NIU leads, 21-17
SIU leads, 26-8
Last Time Out | In the season opener, WIU made it a one-possession game (48-45) in the third quarter and chipped away all game, but the Wisconsin Badgers held on 73-66, on Sunday (Nov. 29).
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 then 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 (five offensive), and 13 points while also blocking four shots. Nichols also ended in double-figures with 12 points.
2020-21 Outlook | In his 10th year at the helm of the program and owning the all-time winning percentage, JD Gravina returns four starters this season in Carla Flores, Grace Gilmore, Danni Nichols and Evan Zars. The Leathernecks were picked third in The Summit League Preseason Poll with Zars being named to the Preseason All-Summit Second Team.
A Season Ago | Dealt with the injury bug last season, the Leathernecks (15-15, 9-7) finished in a three-way tie for third place in The Summit League with Denver and Oral Roberts. WIU faced ORU for the second consecutive year in the quarterfinals and fell 74-66. Olivia Kaufman concluded her career as 12th all-time in scoring while earning All-Summit First Team honors and SLU Transfer Evan Zars being named The Summit League Newcomer of the Year.
Immediate Impact | After being granted immediate eligibility for last season, Evan Zars has already begun to collect her hardware and make her presence known inside The Summit League. Last year, she was named the league’s Newcomer of the Year and placed on the All-Newcomer Team. Zars finished second in the conference with 274 rebounds and totaled eight double-doubles en route to averaging 9.1 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game. Zars blocked 47 shots to place ninth all-time in program history with six outings with three or more. Prior to this season, she was named on The Summit League Preseason All-Summit Second Team.
Newcomers | Nicknamed the Iowa recruiting class, this season the Leathernecks welcome in three newcomers, all hailing from the state of Iowa. Anna Deets (Mason City), Mallory McDermott (Fairfax) and Maddie Mock (Johnston).
All three freshmen made their debuts in the season opener, including Deets hitting two three-pointers and McDermott finishing a perfect 4-4 at the free-throw line.
Up Next | The Purple and Gold head to Southeast Missouri on Friday (Dec. 11), before returning to host the home opener on Sunday (Dec. 13) against Illinois State.
***Game preview courtesy of WIU Athletics***
