Who: Western Illinois vs Hannibal LaGrange | at Valparaiso | Vs Stephens College
Where: Macomb, Ill | Valparaiso, Ind
When: Wednesday, Nov. 15th | Saturday, Nov. 18th | Monday, Nov.20th
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.
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.
Early Success
After averaging 18.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in her first week of college basketball, Freshman Raegan McCowan was named Co-OVC Player & Freshman of the Week.
After posting 19 points in game one, McCowan had a double-double (13 pts. 11 reb.) against Wisconsin. McCowan set career highs in points (23) against Northern Illinois.
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.
The Leathernecks bench has outscored its opponent's bench 101-61 this season. McDermott has posted eight or more points off the bench in both games.
Crashing the Glass
The Western Illinois squad has out-rebounded its opponents by 89-75 on the season. On the offensive glass, WIU has rebounded their opponents 23-17.
Starting Strong, Finishing Stronger
Western Illinois has started the first quarter on fire as they have outscored their opponents 46-33, holding leads in all three games. The Leathernecks have finished games just as vital, scoring opponents 57-44 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.
Western Illinois has knocked down 18 three-pointers, averaging six a game this season.
Perfect Game
Kennedy Flanagan shot perfectly from the field against Northern Illinois. Coming off the bench, Flanagan went 7-7 from the field and 1-1 from the three-point line, shooting a perfect 100%
Scouting Stephens College
Stephens college heads into Western Hall with a 5-2 record overall. The Stars have taken on another OVC opponent falling 82-60 to the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks. The Stars went 1-1 in the Great Falls Classic defeating Montana State-Northern and falling to #18 University of Providence (Mont.).
