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