Spring Break
Women's basketball opens preseason with a win
Tom Mavraganis
Issue date: 11/2/09 Section: Sports
The Western Illinois women's basketball team outlasted William Woods Sunday afternoon by a final score of 52-42.
The Owls dominated the first 10 minutes of the game and jumped ahead to a 21-4 lead after starting the game with a 15-0 lead. But the 'Necks closed up the lead by halftime, ending the first half trailing 29-25.
"I was really impressed with our newcomers," said senior guard Jordan O'Brien. "It's not just the first five, a good bench is key. Our mental toughness showed when we were down 21-4."
In the second half, the 'Necks continued to have success defensively as the Owls converted only 3-of-24 shots.
"Defensively they did a nice job," said head coach Leslie Crane. "You hold their leading scorer (junior Rachel Baker) to nine points. She averages 18 points a game."
The 'Necks finished the game shooting 19-of-67, which is good for 28.4 percent.
"We have got to get more efficient within our shooting,there was some shot selection that was poor," Crane said.
The 'Necks tied the game at 36 with eight minutes left in the second half and eventually took the lead 38-36 less than a minute later. Western went on a 10-1 run over the next five minutes. The 'Necks outscored the Owls 27-13 in the second half, and were able to snag a victory.
Western held the rebound advantage over the Owls 49-41.
"We had 49 rebounds tonight. We had 21 offensive and 28 defensive," Crane said. "There were times last year we had like 21 or 28 rebounds the whole game."
The 'Necks also won the turnover battle, as the Owls turned the ball over 19 times to the 'Necks' 13.
"We only had 13 turnovers. Last year we averaged in the 20s," Crane said.
But Western struggled with free throws, making only 6-of-19 from the charity stripe.
"They will understand how they have to concentrate when they go to the free throw line," Crane said.
The 'Necks got help from a new addition to their team, junior forward Jackie Barton, who transferred to Western after two years with Highland Community College in Illinois.
Barton was 6-of-12 shooting, 1-of-3 from three-point distance and 5- of-7 at the free throw line. She also had two steals and played 26 minutes in her collegiate debut.
"I was really nervous before the game," Barton said. "Nerves were a factor at the beginning of the game. It took a while to shake that off. It felt good to be in this jersey."
The 'Necks will play another exhibition against Judson Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. inside Western Hall.
The Owls dominated the first 10 minutes of the game and jumped ahead to a 21-4 lead after starting the game with a 15-0 lead. But the 'Necks closed up the lead by halftime, ending the first half trailing 29-25.
"I was really impressed with our newcomers," said senior guard Jordan O'Brien. "It's not just the first five, a good bench is key. Our mental toughness showed when we were down 21-4."
In the second half, the 'Necks continued to have success defensively as the Owls converted only 3-of-24 shots.
"Defensively they did a nice job," said head coach Leslie Crane. "You hold their leading scorer (junior Rachel Baker) to nine points. She averages 18 points a game."
The 'Necks finished the game shooting 19-of-67, which is good for 28.4 percent.
"We have got to get more efficient within our shooting,there was some shot selection that was poor," Crane said.
The 'Necks tied the game at 36 with eight minutes left in the second half and eventually took the lead 38-36 less than a minute later. Western went on a 10-1 run over the next five minutes. The 'Necks outscored the Owls 27-13 in the second half, and were able to snag a victory.
Western held the rebound advantage over the Owls 49-41.
"We had 49 rebounds tonight. We had 21 offensive and 28 defensive," Crane said. "There were times last year we had like 21 or 28 rebounds the whole game."
The 'Necks also won the turnover battle, as the Owls turned the ball over 19 times to the 'Necks' 13.
"We only had 13 turnovers. Last year we averaged in the 20s," Crane said.
But Western struggled with free throws, making only 6-of-19 from the charity stripe.
"They will understand how they have to concentrate when they go to the free throw line," Crane said.
The 'Necks got help from a new addition to their team, junior forward Jackie Barton, who transferred to Western after two years with Highland Community College in Illinois.
Barton was 6-of-12 shooting, 1-of-3 from three-point distance and 5- of-7 at the free throw line. She also had two steals and played 26 minutes in her collegiate debut.
"I was really nervous before the game," Barton said. "Nerves were a factor at the beginning of the game. It took a while to shake that off. It felt good to be in this jersey."
The 'Necks will play another exhibition against Judson Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. inside Western Hall.
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