Who | Western Illinois (4-1, 0-0) at Tarleton State (4-1, 0-0) and Incarnate Word (1-3, 0-0)

When | Saturday, November 27 - 2 p.m. CT and Monday, November 29 - 6 p.m. CT

Where | Stephensville, Texas (Wisdom Gym) and San Antonio, Texas (McDermott Center)

Radio | Q98.1 (Nov. 27)

Social Media | Twitter + Instagram + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Quick Hits

• After completing a six-day tilt of playing three games at home, Western Illinois women's basketball gets back on the road right after Thanksgiving Day. The Leathernecks head out to Texas for stops at Tarleton State (Nov. 27) and Incarnate Word (Nov. 29).

• WIU's 4-1 overall start is at its best since the 2017-18 campaign when it won five of its first six.

• In each of its last two games, Western poured in over 100 team points. It is the first time the team has scored in triple-digits within back-to-back games since the 2013-14 season (wins over Culver-Stockton, 113-38, and St. Francis, 121-52).

• The Leathernecks currently hold the best record among Summit League team members.

• Tarleton State has started hot at 4-1 overall, while Incarnate State stands only 1-3.

• WIU was picked seventh in this year's Summit League preseason poll.

Most Recently … | Earlier this week on Tuesday (Nov. 23), Western defeated Missouri Baptist (3-5, 0-0) in a commanding 103-43 win. The Leathernecks scorched the nets from three-point territory, going 17-34 (50%) in its highest team total of the season. The single-game mark ties for fourth-best in program history.

Samantha Pryor led the way from distance, piling in four triples on eight attempts. The fifth-year's 15-point performance was her best of the early season.

After both teams went scoreless in the opening period, Jada Thorpe nailed a three to put WIU in front, 7-2. The start of a huge 14-2 run saw quite a few Leatherneck reserves check onto the floor and immediately contribute. With time counting down, Danni Nichols shifted her way into the lane for a left-handed finish, increasing the lead to 21-4.

WIU kept its foot on the gas into the second, which pretty much became the story for the game's duration. The team's most extensive scoring run happened in the second quarter (22 points). Missouri Baptist struggled from the field -- only 25.8%. Drawn fouls worked well for the Leathernecks, as the group impressively completed the deed at the charity stripe (14-17 on free throw attempts).

Thorpe tied her career-high of 21 points, again leading all scorers for the second straight contest. WIU had six players reach double-figures in points, as Elizabeth (15), Kennedy Flanagan (13), Anna Deets (11), and Mallory McDermott (10) all joined Pryor and Thorpe. Deets, Flanagan, and Thorpe all knocked down three trey balls.

Sharing the ball played a role in the successful play -- Western totaled 27 assists compared to MBU's nine. Nichols achieved a new career-high by passing out seven dimes. Evan Zars and Alissa Dins controlled the glass with eight boards apiece.

Thorpe Turning it Up | Newcomer Jada Thorpe has started every game for WIU thus far and is quickly settling into a comfortable groove at the guard spot. In the team's most recent pair of home games, she notched 21 points twice (a career-high). The redshirt sophomore has stood out in other areas, ranking second on the squad in assists per game (3.8) and steals per game (1.8).

Deadly Depth | A shining aspect of WIU's firepower this year has been the production of its bench. Mallory McDermott is tied for second in points per game (10.2). She, along with fellow sophomores Anna Deets and Kennedy Flanagan, all act as shooting threats whenever stepping onto the floor. Playing in the paint, Alissa Dins has improved in scoring with a soft touch around the rim, hauling down rebounds, and spotting open teammates. Dins, Flanagan, and McDermott have either set or tied career-highs in points or rebounds in the past three games.

First Meetings | This will be the first-ever matchup for WIU between both Tarleton State and Incarnate Word. The last time the Leathernecks faced a Texas-based opponent was UTEP at home on Dec. 20, 2018.

Scouting the Opposition | Rim protection has been a focal point for Tarleton State, as the Texans average over six blocks per contest. Seynabou Thiam, a 6'6" center, leads in that area with 2.4 BPG. Iyana Dorsey is the top scorer with over 12 points a night, while Malaya Kendrick averages eight points and a team-best 9.4 RPG. Dorsey is also successful at collecting steals (2.0 per game).

Over at Incarnate Word, Jaaucklyn Moore (13.8 ppg) and Destiny Jenkins (11.7 ppg) pace the team's scoring tempo. Moore also shows a rounded game with 5.3 rebounds and nearly two assists each performance while shooting a .393 three-point percentage. Turnovers have been the Cardinals' Achilles heel -- averaging 19.8 per night and allowing opponents to score just over 20 points off of those turnovers.

What's Next? | Western opens December by hosting the annual 'Compass Challenge.' Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois, and Southern Illinois all come to Macomb to partake in the two-day tournament (Dec. 3-4). WIU plays at 6 p.m. CT on both days.