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Western opens conference schedule against IUPUI

January 1, 2008 on 9:35 pm | In Athletics |

MACOMB, Ill. - The Western Illinois women’s basketball team continues its three-game home-stand with the first conference match up of the 2007-08 season when IUPUI heads to Macomb for a 4:30 p.m. tip off, Saturday, December 8 on Waste Management Court at Western Hall.

About IUPUI
The Jaguars enter this Saturday’s game with a 3-6 overall record and have lost their last three games.

IUPUI relies on its inside game, as Julia Whitted and Jernisha Cann are the team’s top scorers. Whitted averaged 12.6 points per game, while Cann adds 12.4. The duo is also key on defense averaging 7.1 and 9.0 rebounds per game, respectively. Whitted has tallied 25 blocks so far this season for a 2.8 per game average, which ranks her 18th in the nation.

Most of the Jaguar’s points come from inside the three-point line, as the team only averages 2.6 treys per game, while giving up 5.2 to their opponents.

IUPUI ranks in the top 100 in the country in two statistical categories. The Jaguars are 81st in scoring defense, holding their opponents to just 59.1 points per game. They are also 65th in free throw percentage (73.2). Cann ranks among the nations best is steals (12th) and rebounds per game (70th).

The Series
This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the Westerwinds and the Jaguars during the 2007-08 season. Western currently holds a 17-5 advantage in the all-time series, but has been defeated in the last two games with IUPUI. The Westerwinds are 9-0 when playing the Jaguars in Macomb.

Against the Jaguars
During the 2006-07 season Western and IUPUI met three times, including a battle in the first round of the Mid-Continent Conference Championship. Then-junior Gina Hugelier was the top producer for the Westerwinds during those outings. She garnered 37 points, including two games with over 12 points. Stephanie Lovingood and Nicole Myers were also strong for Western with 29 and 22 points, respectively, and 19 rebounds each.

Of the returners for the Jaguars, Cann tallied the most points and rebounds against the Westerwinds, with 26 points and 17 boards.

Super Seniors
The senior class for the Westerwinds has been stepping up in the last two games. Hugelier has led the team in scoring, with 13 and 18 points. Lovingood has been right behind her with 10 and 14 points in the last two outings.

Senior Samantha Quigle may not be scoring double-digit points in Western’s games, but she has been setting season and career-highs and seeing more playing time than a season ago. The Colchester, Ill., native has tied career-highs for points (4) and assists (2) while setting new bests in three-point field goal percentage (.500 (1-2)) and steals (2).

The three seniors have contributed 59 of Western’s 120 points in the last two games.

Season Setting Night
Hugelier and sophomore Katy Clark had one their best games of the 2007-08 season at Wichita State. Hugelier led the team with 13 points and added three rebounds and three assists. The Elmhurst, Ill., native also hit a season-high five free throws.

Clark earned her first career-start against the Shockers and tied a career-best with three assists. The Lansing, Ill., native tallied six points and added four rebounds for new season-highs.

Among the Nations Best
Two of Western’s players rank among the best in the nation (as of games through December 2, 2007). Sophomore Jordon O’Brien is currently ranked seventh with her 54.2 three-point field goal percentage. Lovingood is 64th in the country with her 9.0 rebounds per game.

As a team the Westerwinds are 58th in three-point shots per game (6.2) and 37th in field goal percentage beyond the arc (37.8).

On the Airwaves
This season all games can be heard live on WIUS 88.3 FM and on the internet at www.wiuathletics.com. Links to each broadcast are available on the women’s basketball “Schedule/Results” page. Click on the speaker to link to the broadcast. Play-by-play is provided by Ryan Thomas, while color commentary is added by Nick McCay.

All of Western’s home games have live stats available through www.wiuathletics.com. A link is provided on the women’s basketball “Schedule/Results” page. Click on the No. 1 to connect to the live stats.

All home and conference road games are broadcast through Summit TV (www.thesummitleague.org).

New Teams; New Conference
On June 1, 2007 the Mid-Continent Conference officially changed its name to The Summit League. The conference name change also included the loss of Valparaiso University as a league member and the addition of IPFW, North Dakota State, and South Dakota State.

The addition of the new teams is set to increase the competitiveness among Summit League schools and in the Division I basketball ranks. Two of the new additions ended the 2006-07 season with RPI in the top 150 and above the top Mid-Con team (Oral Roberts-169). South Dakota State finished the year 25-6, with an RPI of 45, while North Dakota State had an RPI of 139 after finishing 14-11.

Up Next
Western finishes up their three-game home stand, Sunday, December 16 against Robert Morris. The game will start at 2 p.m. on Waste Management court at Western Hall. The game will be the final home game of the 2007 portion of the season. The Westerwinds next home contest will be Saturday, January 12, 2008 against new league opponent North Dakota State

Western Quick Sets
Quigle recorded her first three-point shot in a purple and gold uniform against Drake (December 5, 2007)…Lovingood scored all of her 14 points against Drake in the second half, five of which came in the first five minutes of the second half…the Westerwinds out-rebounded the Bulldogs 33-30, including a 17-11 mark on the offensive boards…against Drake Western had more offensive rebounds (17) than defensive (16) for the first time this season.

Originaly from Source