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Defensive second half leads Western to victory over UMKC, 56-46

March 20, 2008 on 8:35 pm | In Athletics |

MACOMB, Ill. Senior Gina Hugelier tallied a team-high 19 points, including nine points in the final two minutes of the game to propel the Western Illinois women’s basketball team to a 56-46 win over UMKC on Waste Management Court at Western Hall.

The Elmhurst, Ill., native hit her third three-pointer of the game with just over two minutes to play and then converted on six of eight chances at the charity strip to push the Westerwinds (11-11, 9-2 The Summit League) out to their largest lead of the game (10).

Western only allowed the Kangaroos (9-13, 2-9 The Summit League) to score 17 points in the final 20 minutes of the game, while earning 28 of its own to earn the 10-point victory.

“UMKC is a good team and it is a hard match up,” said head coach Leslie Crane. “I think that we did a lot of good things to get the win tonight. The difference in the game was holding them [UMKC] to 17 points in the second half.”

After heading into the locker room down by one point (28-29), the Westerwinds got on the board first in the second half when Hugelier connected on her first three-pointer of the game with 17:20 remaining. Both teams had stepped up the defensive pressure in the opening part of the half forcing each other into six total turnovers.

Western continued its defensive pressure and didn’t allow the Kangaroos to get on the board until 15:20 remained in the game. The Westerwinds then went on a 6-0 run to extend their lead to five points and never let it get any closer than two the rest of the way.

UMKC cut the lead to two with just over five minutes remaining and had a chance to tie, but Marta Waalen missed two-of-three free throws. The Kangaroos also struggled with shooting, as they scored just six points in the final seven minutes of the game to Western’s 13.

The first half was a back-and-forth struggle for the first 6:30 before UMKC broke an eight-all tie with a 5-0 run. The Westerwinds quickly responded with a 6-0 run of their own to tie the game back at 16.

With 5:30 remaining in the first half Western started a 6-0 run over the next two minutes to take a four point lead, before the Kangaroos’ went on a 9-0 run over the next three minutes. The Westerwinds closed the gap in the final 30 seconds of the half when junior Katy Davenport connect on two free throws and senior Stephanie Lovingood hit a jumper in the lane with three second left.

Western earned the victory on the rebounding side as well, out-rebounding UMKC 39-35. For the second game in a row the Westerwinds were out-shot by their opponents (36.7% to 32.1%), but they took advantage of their trips to the free-throw line (13-of-17) to help them to victory.

Western returns to the road next weekend when it makes the first trip to the Dakota’s to face South Dakota State, Saturday, February 9 and North Dakota State, Monday, February 11. Tip-off with the Jackrabbits is schedule for 5 p.m., while Monday’s game is set for 7 p.m.

Notes: Davenport and Lovingood were also in double-figures for Western…Davenport tallied 11 points and Lovingood added 10…the Westerwinds took advantage of 18 turnovers by the Kangaroos and tallied 23 points off turnovers…Western held Alysa Klein to just nine points in the game.

Quotes:
Western Illinois head coach Leslie Crane
“We forced them into 18 turnovers, including 12 in the first half. They only had six in the second half, but they came at key times.”

Originaly from Source