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SUMMIT LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Leathernecks Beat IUPUI In Overtime Thriller to Earn Trip to NCAA Tournament

March 7, 2017

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By WIU Athletics

Taylor Hanneman's shot sent the game into overtime and helped Western earn its first tournament title since 1995.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Taylor Hanneman's 3-point buzzer beater to send Western Illinois (26-6) into overtime helped the Leathernecks surge past IUPUI 77-69 for their first Summit League Tournament title since 1995.
With 2.2 seconds to play and down by three, Taylor Higginbotham inbound the ball to Hanneman, who took a quick shot fake, a dribble and drained the center 3-pointer as time expired in regulation.

"The fact that my team had enough confidence in me when I let it go, that gave me enough confidence in them for overtime. I was pretty cold and missed my last three, but it goes back to the fact that coach and my players have faith in me. We knew it was going to happen and I had to do it," said Hanneman.

With the momentum on their side, the trio of Higginbotham, Hanneman and Morgan Blumer each hit consecutive shots from beyond the arc to give Western a 9-point advantage. Those 3-pointers ended up being the overtime spark the Leathernecks needed to close out The Summit League Tournament Championship game and earn an NCAA Tournament berth.

"If that win deserved to happen, it was for this team. Every single person on the roster is the most selfless kid I've coached. Definitely the most selfless team I've coached and I'm really happy for my players. It was tough because we have so many players who can shoot it," said head coach JD Gravina. "But Taylor can get a good shot off and is really good at getting that off in space. If you notice, she took a shot fake then a dribble, which makes her unique. Right when we went out, I told her that she had time to shot fake and dribble. If we have a kid on our team who can hit tough shots, it's her."

The first quarter started out with both programs exchanging the lead, but a jumper by IUPUI's Sydney Hall tied the game up at 17-all heading into the second. Western Illinois opened the second quarter with an Emily Clemens 3-pointer, but the Jaguars were able to answer and keep the game to within one possession. The Jaguars went on to gain a 5-point lead, but a 3-pointer by Michelle Farrow closed out the half and kept the Leathernecks to within 32-30 heading in to the locker room.

The Leathernecks refused to lay down in the second half, and in the opening 40 seconds in the third quarter, Clemens connected with Blumer off a cross-court pass, followed by a corner three from Blumer to give WIU a 38-35 lead. With just over four minutes to go, Western Illinois went on a 12-2 run over a five-minute span. IUPUI, however, stayed within striking distance and hit yet another 3-pointer at the buzzer to dwindle WIU's lead at 46-42 heading into the fourth.

Western held on to a 56-50 lead with 4:45 to play after Blumer attacked the rim and drove into the lane for a quick bucket. At the final media timeout with 4:15 to go, the WIU lead was four. The Jaguars eventually gave themselves a chance and cut WIU's lead to 60-57 with possession. After Mallory Boyle split a pair from the charity stripe to make it a 4-point game, IUPUI responded with a long 3-pointer. As eight seconds remained on the clock, Clemens was fouled and went to the line. She missed both and then picked up a foul, and the Jaguars eventually hit a pair of free throws to take a 62-61 lead. On the ensuing inbounds play, IUPUI intercepted it and forced the Leathernecks to foul. A pair of free throws put Western in a 3-point hole with 2.2 seconds to go.

"I'll probably never forget those two free throws, but to have the confidence in my team and Taylor [Hanneman]," said Clemens. "That's the type of player she is. She's a gamer and that shows a lot about her character. We knew we had two seconds to get a shot off. We believed and played until the final buzzer."

Cue Taylor Hanneman, whose shot turned out to be the play of the game and set the tone for the Purple and Gold to outscore IUPUI 13-5 in overtime. Summit League Tournament Most Valuable Player Emily Clemens capped off her tournament final with a game-high 20 points, nine assists and five steals. With 234 assists this season, she set a new Summit League record for the most in a season. Blumer followed with 18 points, Higginbotham added 15 and Hanneman finished with 12. IUPUI (24-8) was led by Sydney Hall (18 points), Jenna Gun (16) and Caitlyn Tolen (10).

Western Illinois has now earned a bid into the NCAA Tournament. Stay tuned for the for more information on the NCAA's selection show, which will be on Monday (March 13), and information on ticket and a watch party.

"When things keep going your team's way, it's fun to believe in that magic. When I came into the league, we were picked 10th and it's neat to see how we've advanced. Everyone's dream is to go to the NCAA tournament, and to actually do it is just special," said Gravina.

Posted By: WIU Athletics (SID@wiu.edu)
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