By JOHN BOHNENKAMP IOWA CITY, Iowa — Jan Jensen tried to emphasize the positives even as the negatives were staring back at her from the post-game press conference table. Then the Iowa women’s basketball coach finally had to acknowledge what … Continue reading A Stunning Loss Is A Blueprint For What Comes Next For Hawkeyes
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP IOWA CITY, Iowa — The options were running out. Iowa had spent the first three quarters of Saturday’s NCAA women’s basketball tournament first-round game trying to shake a team that had an answer for every run, one … Continue reading IOWA 58, FDU 48: Heiden Carries The Weight On A Heavy Day
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 Hannah Stuelke’s right elbow is the biggest question for Iowa’s women’s basketball team heading into Friday’s Big Ten Tournament opener. Stuelke was injured in Iowa’s 82-78 win over Illinois on February 26 in the Hawkeyes’ final regular-season … Continue reading Stuelke’s Status Is Questionable As Hawkeyes Prepare For Big Ten Tournament
By JOHN BOHNENKAMP It was at about this time last season that Iowa’s Ava Heiden started to show what she could do as a young post player in the Hawkeyes’ rotation. That momentum carried into this season, and helped Heiden … Continue reading Heiden Named To All-Big Ten First Team
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