Nicastro’s Day Goes From ‘Worst’ Half To Big Shots
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP EVANSVILLE, Indiana — Mia Nicastro was 19 seconds into Friday’s Ohio Valley Conference tournament semifinal and on her rear end underneath Western Illinois’ basket. Nicastro, arms outstretched and glaring at the officials, looked incredulous that there was … Continue reading Nicastro’s Day Goes From ‘Worst’ Half To Big Shots
WESTERN ILLINOIS 74, SEMO 66: One Win Away From The Final Piece
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP EVANSVILLE, Indiana — Western Illinois spent the first three quarters of Friday’s Ohio Valley Conference tournament semifinal tormented by an opponent that had spent the last two days building confidence and momentum while knocking off higher-seeded teams. … Continue reading WESTERN ILLINOIS 74, SEMO 66: One Win Away From The Final Piece
Shetley’s Big Game Keeps Leathernecks Going
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP EVANSVILLE, Indiana — Mallory Shetley is no stranger to big games, having played in the NAIA national tournament in all five of her seasons at Columbia College. Her 27 points for Western Illinois in Friday’s 74-66 win … Continue reading Shetley’s Big Game Keeps Leathernecks Going
Stuelke’s Status Is Questionable As Hawkeyes Prepare For Big Ten Tournament
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Hannah Stuelke’s right elbow is the biggest question for Iowa’s women’s basketball team heading into Friday’s Big Ten Tournament opener. Stuelke was injured in Iowa’s 82-78 win over Illinois on February 26 in the Hawkeyes’ final regular-season … Continue reading Stuelke’s Status Is Questionable As Hawkeyes Prepare For Big Ten Tournament
Heiden Named To All-Big Ten First Team
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP It was at about this time last season that Iowa’s Ava Heiden started to show what she could do as a young post player in the Hawkeyes’ rotation. That momentum carried into this season, and helped Heiden … Continue reading Heiden Named To All-Big Ten First Team
Nicastro, Gravina And Brownfield Claim Top OVC Honors
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Mia Nicastro was among the top scorers in NCAA Division I women’s basketball play all season, so it was no surprise the Western Illinois senior was named the Ohio Valley Conference’s player of the year on Tuesday. … Continue reading Nicastro, Gravina And Brownfield Claim Top OVC Honors
LINDENWOOD 91, WIU 69: A Goodbye To The Season And The Long Journeys
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — There was a party going on out on the court at Western Hall as Francis Okwuosah sat in the Hall of Fame Room, towel over his head, his college basketball career over. Western Illinois’ 91-69 loss to Lindenwood on Saturday was the final game of the season for the Leathernecks. They finished 5-26 overall, 1-19 in the Ohio Valley Conference, and didn’t qualify for next week’s conference tournament in Evansville, Indiana. That meant Senior Day was the final day for the Leathernecks’ seniors and graduate students, and for Okwuosah, it was the end of … Continue reading LINDENWOOD 91, WIU 69: A Goodbye To The Season And The Long Journeys
LINDENWOOD 50, WIU 49: Leathernecks Celebrate A Title, But Have To Share
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois women’s basketball team got a proper celebration and a chance to cut down the nets at Western Hall. The Leathernecks had to share their Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title rather than win … Continue reading LINDENWOOD 50, WIU 49: Leathernecks Celebrate A Title, But Have To Share
IOWA 62, MICHIGAN 44: Heiden Owns Her Space With A ‘Stab And Twist’ Moment
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP IOWA CITY, Iowa — Ashley Sofilkanich stood near the Michigan basket, hands on hips, head down, a sign that she had enough of Iowa’s Ava Heiden. The Wolverines had called timeout, the sellout crowd of Carver-Hawkeye Arena … Continue reading IOWA 62, MICHIGAN 44: Heiden Owns Her Space With A ‘Stab And Twist’ Moment
MOREHEAD STATE 81, WIU 59: Biliew Cherishes Opportunity With Leathernecks
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill, — Goanar Biliew is heading into the final week of his college basketball career knowing he made the right choice to come to Western Illinois for his last season. Biliew matched his season high with 14 points in the Leathernecks’ 81-59 loss to Morehead State in Saturday’s Ohio Valley Conference game at Western Hall. There will be no trip to the OVC tournament for the Leathernecks (5-24 overall, 1-17 conference) this season. Their season will end this week with Thursday’s game at SIUE and next Saturday’s home game against Lindenwood. Those are moments Biliew will … Continue reading MOREHEAD STATE 81, WIU 59: Biliew Cherishes Opportunity With Leathernecks
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