Who: Western Illinois vs Northern Illinois
Where: Madison, WI (Kohl Center)
When: Thursday, Nov. 9
Social Media: @WIUWBB (Twitter + Instagram + Facebook)
Returning Starters
Western Illinois is set to return four or five of their primary starters from last season. Anna Deets and Alissa Dins highlight the predicted starting five. Deets, an OVC preseason All-Conference player, averaged 12.4 ppg and 4.4 rpg last season. Dins was a force to be reckoned with in the paint last season, averaging 1.1 blocks per game.
Addi Brownfield and Carla Flores are the other returning starters from last season. Now, in her Sophomore campaign, Brownfield led all WIU freshmen last season with 9.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg, and 1.8 apg. Flores returns to WIU after averaging 4.9 ppg and 2.2 rpg in 18 minutes of play.
Freshmen Success
Freshman Raegan McCowan started her Leatherneck career on a high note. Shooting 9-11 from the field, McCowan led the Leathernecks with 19 points. McCowan also brought down four rebounds and drew four fouls. McCowan kept the success against Wisconsin, posting her first collegiate double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Strong Bench
Western Illinois is known for playing many different players every night. This season will be no different. Seniors Mallory McDermott and Kennedy Flanagan brought the energy in the second unit last season. McDermott, a three-point specialist, knocked down 36 three-pointers last season at over a 32% clip.
This season, the Leathernecks bench has outscored its opponent's bench 71-38. McDermott has posted eight or more points off the bench in both games.
Crashing the Glass
The Western Illinois squad has outrebounded its opponents by 89-75 on the season. On the offensive glass, WIU has outrebounded their opponents 23-17.
Starting Strong, Finishing Stronger
Western Illinois has started the first quarter on fire as they have outscored their opponents 31-19, holding leads in both games. The Leathernecks have finished games just as strong, scoring opponents 35-32 in the fourth quarter.
Three is more than two.
The Leathernecks are always dangerous from behind 22 feet. Last season, the Leathernecks made 220 three-pointers, shooting over 28% as a team. Deets led the way with 49, McDermott had 36, and Brownfield knocked down 22.
New Faces
WIU welcomed five new players to this team's roster. Jasmine Nichols joined WIU as the lone transfer from Moorpark College. Nichols averaged 11.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals for the Raiders last season. Maria Messling, Raegan McCowan, Ainsley Holthaus, and Kaylen Reed are in the 2023 freshmen class.
Scouting Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois opened their season at Arkansas State, falling 75-62. Senior Grace Hunter led the Huskies as she tied her career high with 19 points. Hunter knocked down five three-pointers. Brooke Stonebraker posted her first career double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
