The Western Illinois women's basketball team overcame a slow first quarter start to get the 88-78 win over Chicago State on Saturday, Dec. 7.
The Cougars started the game shooting efficient with 58 percent from the field to own a 37-27 lead at the end of the first., Sophomore Grace Gilmore responded with a career-high 19 points to lead the way for the Leathernecks in the first road victory of the season.
WIU earned their first lead of the game with a driving layup from Freshman Carla Flores in the third quarter, overcoming a 15 point deficit to make the score 53-52. After the lead change, Western never trailed again. The Leathernecks tightened up their defensive pressure the rest away and limited the Cougars to nine points in the second and 10 points in the third.
Before the buzzer sounded in the third quarter, Junior Annabel Graettinger found Gilmore in the corner for a three-pointer to stretch the lead to double-digits making the score 67-56. Four Leathernecks were able to put up double-digit points against the Cougars to seal the deal.
The Leathernecks now have a 10 breakoff before facing Southeast Missouri Tuesday, Dec. 17, also followed by the Compass Challenge at Northern Illinois starting on Thursday, Dec. 19.