By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois’ women’s basketball team struggled to make shots in the first half of Tuesday’s Ohio Valley Conference opener against Tennessee Tech, and yet the halftime score was tied. The Leathernecks had the same … Continue reading Stagnant Second Half Costs Leathernecks In Loss
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Marko Maletic came to Western Illinois with a resumé of a scorer. He’s found a home not just with his point production, but also with his defense. The 6-foot-6 senior is back in the Leathernecks’ starting lineup … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: WIU’s Maletic Finds A Home As A Scorer And As A Defender
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Sean Smith made sure to take a copy of the box score with him as he left Western Hall on Wednesday night. “For sure I’m sending this home,” the Western Illinois senior guard said. … Continue reading A Triple-Double For Smith As Leathernecks Roll
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois didn’t have time to dwell on its worst loss of the season. Which was fine with the Leathernecks. Thursday’s 73-46 win over Monmouth College at Western Hall was a good bounce-back from … Continue reading Leathernecks Make Quick Turnaround, Get A Win
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Drew Thelwell laughed when he saw the four media members waiting to talk to him in the Vibrant Arena hallway. “This is a first,” he said. There is a lot that’s new for the fifth-year point guard … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: Experience Has Made A Difference For Iowa’s Thelwell
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Sometimes there are games a team can’t afford to lose, even in November. Western Illinois’ men’s basketball team had one of those on Saturday. The Leathernecks didn’t lose. Western Illinois rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final six minutes to defeat Central Arkansas 63-61 at Western Hall. Ryan Myers’ two free throws in the closing 1.3 seconds provided the final margin, completing a victory the Leathernecks needed after Wednesday’s 87-73 home loss to Green Bay. “We had to stay together,” said center Tay Knox, whose blocked shot was the final big defensive play … Continue reading Leathernecks Bounce Back, Rally For Home Win
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — It was a comment that Western Illinois women’s basketball coach JD Gravina made slightly in jest. But it started the planning for something that is somewhat unusual in college basketball — a power conference … Continue reading Leathernecks Prepare For Home Game Against Missouri
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Sean Smith and Ryan Myers knew exactly what their coach was going to say. Long before Western Illinois coach Chad Boudreau took the blame for Wednesday’s 87-73 loss to Green Bay in the home opener at Western Hall, Smith and Myers came into the Hall of Fame Room and took the heat off their coach. “The coaches gave us the blueprint to win this game,” Myers said. “It’s on us. Coach is going to take accountability for everything. But it’s on us. He gave us the blueprint to win this game.” “It’s on us,” … Continue reading WIU ‘Punched In The Mouth’ In Loss To Green Bay
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP The tone in Raegan McCowan’s voice concerned Western Illinois women’s basketball coach JD Gravina. McCowan’s first season had her posting numbers that were among the best in NCAA Division I. She was the Ohio Valley Conference’s freshman … Continue reading McCowan Comes Back To WIU To Be With ‘Family’
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Western Illinois’ men’s basketball team won 21 games and reached the Ohio Valley Conference tournament semifinals last season. But even with just three players returning from that team, the Leathernecks are still considered a title contender in … Continue reading WIU Men Picked No. 2, Women Are No. 6, In OVC Preseason Poll
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