By Jack Bell, Chief Sports Editor
MACOMB, IL– The Western Illinois Women’s Basketball team (4-6) have gotten their feet underneath themselves after a rocky start to the 2022 campaign. Head coach JD Gravina has seen production from multiple different members of the squad over the past 4 games, with the most recent success coming by way of the Freshman Guard, Addi Brownfield. After going scoreless in the loss to Southeast Missouri State a week ago, Brownfield finished the week strong. She scored 12 in the 83-67 win over Valparaiso on Friday. The freshman continued her hot streak, dropping a new personal best of 21 points in the 83-77 win over Southern Illinois-Edwardsville on Sunday. Her 21 points off the bench lead all scorers for WIU, while adding 4 rebounds. Junior Guard Jada Thorpe was just as strong in both wins. After dropping a game leading 19 points in the win over Valpo Friday, she followed it up with 16 points in Sundays victory. Thorpe leads WIU in points per game with 12. Junior Guard Anna Deets is another player that has stepped up big for the Leathernecks as of late. Deets scored 15 points on Friday, adding 13 in the win Sunday. Deets in second on the team behind Thorpe, averaging 10.9 points per game.
One thing JD Gravina’s squad has done well this year is forcing turnovers at a high rate. Western Illinois opponents are averaging 20 turnovers per game, the second most in the Summit League, a half a turnover behind North Dakota. Their 2.8 turnover margin is third best in the conference.
WIU will have its final non-conference test of the season when they head to the Vibrant Arena at the Mark in Moline, Illinois on Friday, as they host Saint Xavier (NAIA). Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Western Illinois will begin its conference schedule Monday in North Dakota when they visit the NDSU Bison. Tip is set for 7 p.m.
