By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Raegan McCowan knew the horn and the substitution was for her. Four seconds remained as Mallory McDermott entered the game and McCowan headed to the Western Illinois bench, where she hugged coach JD Gravina … Continue reading McCowan Gets To 1,000 As Leathernecks Topple Eastern Illinois
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 MACOMB, Ill. — The explanation for why Western Illinois’ women’s basketball team lost to Little Rock 65-60 on Thursday night could be found in the 24 turnovers the Leathernecks committed. The explanation of the last turnover, which came when the Leathernecks had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds, was something neither coach JD Gravina or guard Addi Brownfield could understand. The Leathernecks (9-9 overall, 3-6 Ohio Valley Conference) stayed with the Trojans (9-9, 7-2) for the entire game — Little Rock’s biggest lead was six points, and Western Illinois led by as much … Continue reading LITTLE ROCK 65, WIU 60: Leathernecks Hurt By Turnovers In Home Loss
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 MACOMB, Ill. — At some point, Raegan McCowan said, the shots are going to fall for Western Illinois’ women’s basketball team. Thursday’s 73-60 loss to UT-Martin at Western Hall was the latest in a frustrating stretch for … Continue reading UT-MARTIN 73, WIU 60: Missed Shots Add To Leathernecks’ Frustration
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Western Illinois missed a chance to win the Ohio Valley Conference men’s basketball regular-season championship last season because the Leathernecks struggled at times at home. The Leathernecks finished a game out of the three-team … Continue reading Leathernecks Take Care Of Home To Open OVC Play
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
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