By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Mia Nicastro’s approach to every game is the same. “I kind of like to come into every game with the mentality and the mindset that I’m the best player on the floor,” the Western Illinois senior forward … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: ‘Superstar’ Nicastro Has The Mindset, And The Numbers To Go With It
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP IOWA CITY, Iowa — It was 5 minutes and 44 seconds that Jan Jensen thinks can last the rest of the season. That was the time it took for Iowa’s women’s basketball team to break open a … Continue reading IOWA 86, NEBRASKA 76: Hawkeyes’ Final Run May Be A Sign Of What’s To Come
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Western Illinois’ women’s basketball team already had plenty of experience and depth coming back this season — the Leathernecks were one of just a few NCAA Division I teams not to have anyone enter the transfer portal … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: Shetley Is A Valuable Addition For Leathernecks
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill, — There was a lot for the Western Illinois women’s basketball team to take home for the few days of Christmas break. A 10-1 record with a six-game winning streak. A 2-0 record and part … Continue reading WIU 75, SIUE 51: Leathernecks Are In A Good Spot Heading Into The Holidays
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Addi Brownfield did the math. So did most of the 3,000-plus area students who came to Western Hall for Thursday morning’s women’s basketball game between Western Illinois and St. Francis. Brownfield’s 3-pointer with 6:38 … Continue reading WIU 90, ST. FRANCIS 55: A Record Day, And A Shot For A Certain Number
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP Monday brought the first NET rankings of the 2025-26 season and good news for the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Iowa and Iowa State. Both schools were in the top 20 in both sports in the … Continue reading THE MONDAY TIPOFF: The First Look At The NET
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP IOWA CITY, Iowa — That 7-0 record that Iowa’s women’s basketball team has is nice. That No. 11 national ranking is a gaudy number. But the Hawkeyes, dealing with injuries and trying to figure out where all … Continue reading IOWA 86, WIU 69: Hawkeyes Muddle Through To Stay Undefeated
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP IOWA CITY, Iowa — It was an opportunity, Mia Nicastro said, to be on a big stage. Western Illinois’ women’s basketball team lost 86-69 to 11th-ranked Iowa on Wednesday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, but Nicastro said it … Continue reading Leathernecks Appreciate Opportunity To Be On Big Stage At Iowa
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Addi Brownfield’s banked 3-pointer barely beat the buzzer ending the third quarter, and the first thing Brownfield did was run to hug teammate Allie Meadows, who had passed her the ball. Then she jumped around looking for someone else to hug, and there were plenty of takers in the celebration. “Yeah, I probably could have played it a little cooler there,” the Western Illinois guard said, laughing. It was a shot worth celebrating on a night when the Leathernecks kept their cool and pulled out a big early-season win. Western Illinois rallied from an … Continue reading WIU 84, BRADLEY 77: Leathernecks Keep Their Cool, Stay Undefeated
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP MACOMB, Ill. — Mia Nicastro came into Monday’s game as one of the top scorers in NCAA Division I play. And then she went out and posted a double-double in Western Illinois’ 86-75 win over Chicago State at Western Hall. Nicastro, who came into the game ranked tied for sixth nationally in scoring, had a 31-point, 16-rebound night, her second double-double in three games this season. “I think it’s just not forcing things and taking what the defense gives me,” said Nicastro, a senior forward who is averaging 26.7 points and 11.7 rebounds to start the season. … Continue reading WIU 86, CHICAGO STATE 75: Nicastro’s Hot Start Continues As Leathernecks Hold On For Win
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