MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois women's basketball head coach JD Gravina announced Thursday (Nov. 1) that redshirt-freshman transfer Ashley Luke (Oak Cree, Wisc./Oak Creek) has been ruled as immediately eligible by the NCAA. The Leathernecks open exhibition play Friday night (Nov. 2) against Monmouth College.

A 6-1 forward, Luke redshirted at Green Bay last year as a freshman, and left the program following the departure of former head coach Matt Bollant to Illinois and the hiring of a new coaching staff.

Luke averaged 14.5 points and nine rebounds per game her senior year and was a Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association All-State selection. She helped the Knights to the sectional finals. Luke was a Second Team All-Conference selection following her junior year as she averaged 14.1 points per game.

Thanks to the NCAA ruling, Luke will have four years of eligibility remaining for Gravina and the Leathernecks.

"I can't thank everyone enough for their hard work on this. The NCAA process is extremely thorough, and (Associate Athletics Director) Matt Tanney and (Interim Director of Compliance) Chris Wlezien did a great job managing the paperwork," said Gravina. "In the end, I believe the NCAA recognized that Ashley exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete. Ashley will contribute immediately for our team. With four years of eligibility, her impact on our program will be immense."

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