By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Allie Meadows knew it was a big deal that Western Illinois was going to the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Then the senior guard saw just how much it meant for the community. “We got … Continue reading Leathernecks Embrace NCAA Tournament Opportunity, And The Support That Comes With It
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP CHICAGO — He has talked all season about not wanting his team to settle for “good.” Great teams, Iowa coach Ben McCollum has said, win the close games, and it was a subject he brought up again … Continue reading OHIO STATE 72, IOWA 69: McCollum Hopes Hawkeyes Can Get Past ‘Pretty Good’
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP CHICAGO — Cooper Koch is playing his best at the end of his first full season playing at Iowa. Koch scored a career-high 19 points in the Hawkeyes’ 75-64 win over Maryland in Wednesday’s second round of … Continue reading Koch’s Shots Falling At The Right Time
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP CHICAGO — It’s become almost routine for Iowa coach Ben McCollum in his first season. Slow start, again. Finding a way to win, again. The Hawkeyes played a script that is all-too-familiar to McCollum in Wednesday’s 75-64 … Continue reading IOWA 75, MARYLAND 64: Using The Same Script In The Postseason
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Western Illinois was one of 25 NCAA Division I women’s basketball teams to not have anyone enter the transfer portal after last season. It says everything, coach JD Gravina said, about the culture of the program, and … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: Leathernecks Stick Together In The Portal Era, And Deliver A Championship
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP EVANSVILLE, Indiana — It was up to Mia Nicastro to carry the Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball tournament championship trophy out of the post-game press conference. “It’s a little heavy,” said Nicastro, hobbled by a sprained ankle … Continue reading WESTERN ILLINOIS 71, LINDENWOOD 65: The Final Prizes They Wanted
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
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
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
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
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