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 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 — Western Illinois coach JD Gravina made a point to thank Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia after the Leathernecks won the Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball tournament championship on Saturday. Pavia sued the NCAA after the … Continue reading Shetley Takes Home OVC Tournament MVP
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP EVANSVILLE, Indiana — Mia Nicastro has had ankle sprains before, but she knew the one she suffered in the fourth quarter in Saturday’s Ohio Valley Conference tournament championship game was bad. It didn’t help that the Ford … Continue reading Nicastro’s ‘Heroic’ Return Sparks Leathernecks’ Final Push
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 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. — 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
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