By JOHN BOHNENKAMP IOWA CITY — Payton Sandfort limped to the sideline in the second half with another ache in what is becoming a painful final season for the Iowa forward. It was only a cramp, and after a quick … Continue reading Hawkeyes Fight, But Can’t Topple No. 7 Boilermakers
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Every one of the eight consecutive losses has hurt. This one was especially painful. Western Illinois’ 69-65 loss to SIU-Edwardsville on Saturday at Western Hall extended a losing skid that started in early January … Continue reading SIUE 69, WIU 65: Another Loss Has Sting For Leathernecks
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — The double-double duo of Raegan McCowan and Mia Nicastro was the perfect counter to the 3-point barrage Western Illinois faced in Saturday’s 94-82 win over SIU-Edwardsville at Western Hall. McCowan had 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Nicastro had 23 points and 10 rebounds, which offset the 15 3-pointers of the Cougars. “That’s the difference,” Western Illinois coach JD Gravina said. McCowan and Nicastro had every point in the 12-2 run to start the fourth quarter that gave the Leathernecks (12-9 overall, 6-6 Ohio Valley Conference) a 78-71 lead. “I think Mia and I … Continue reading WIU 94, SIUE 82: Double-Doubles Counter A 3-Point Attack
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Mia Nicastro’s smile spoke as loud as her voice. It was noisy in Western Hall on Saturday as Western Illinois’ men’s basketball team was warming up for its game against Southeast Missouri State. The Leathernecks’ women’s team … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: Nicastro Grateful For Opportunity With Leathernecks
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — The good thing about the Ohio Valley Conference schedule is how quickly a team can rebound from a loss. The usual Thursday night/Saturday afternoon schedule doesn’t allow much time to think about a loss. … Continue reading WIU 94, SEMO 66: Leathernecks Bounce Back, Dominate In Win
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — The little things add up for losses, a lesson Western Illinois’ basketball team is learning a lot these days. Thursday’s 62-51 loss to Little Rock at Western Hall was the fifth consecutive for the Leathernecks (8-12 overall, 2-7 Ohio Valley Conference), who are looking at this four-game homestand as a chance to get right after their recent struggles. “We keep stringing together Ls,” guard Sean Smith said. “We have to figure out a way to turn it around.” Western Illinois missed 12 free throws, and went 4 of 18 in 3-pointers. The Leathernecks committed … Continue reading LITTLE ROCK 62, WIU 51: Leathernecks’ Losing Streak Reaches Five
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Isaiah Johnson-Arigu can’t help Iowa this season, but coach Fran McCaffery thinks the 6-foot-7 forward can be a key player for the Hawkeyes in the future. Johnson-Arigu, a mid-season transfer from Miami (Fla.), joined the Hawkeyes this … Continue reading Iowa Notebook: Recruiting Relationship Helped Bring Johnson-Arigu To Hawkeyes
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Get used to the grind. Western Illinois’ 85-83 overtime loss to UT-Martin on Thursday night at Western Hall was an example of what Leathernecks’ coach Chad Boudreau has been saying about the conference’s men’s … Continue reading UT-MARTIN 85, WIU 83: Leathernecks Can’t Grind Out Win In Overtime
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP IOWA CITY — It was a glimpse into Iowa’s women’s basketball future that is here now. The final 3 minutes, 39 seconds of the first quarter of the 24th-ranked Hawkeyes’ 84-63 win over Purdue on Sunday at … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: Freshmen Keep Hawkeyes’ Evolution Going
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP IOWA CITY — There is no risk playing with “house money,” as Northern Iowa guard Maya McDermott and her teammates call it. There is the inherent risk, Jan Jensen said, for the two power conference teams that … Continue reading It’s A Hawkeye State, But Panthers Find Their Own Jackpot
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