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
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
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
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Experience matters. It’s why Western Illinois’ women’s basketball team wasn’t rattled at the challenge from Morehead State in the first three quarters of Saturday’s Ohio Valley Conference game at Western Hall. It’s why they knew how, with their lead in the OVC standings at stake and a chance to set up their biggest week of the season, to finish off the game. “We decided in the fourth quarter, it was going to be our game,” said forward Mallory Shetley. And so it was. The Leathernecks smothered Morehead State in the final 10 minutes to … Continue reading WIU 74, MOREHEAD STATE 53: Fury In The Fourth Quarter
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