Leathernecks Open 2023-24 Campaign at Home

Sunday, November 05, 2023 | By: WIU Athletic Communications

Who | Western Illinois vs. Mount Mercy
Where | Western Hall
When | Monday (Nov. 6) - 7:00 p.m.
Social Media | @WIUWBB (Twitter + Instagram + Facebook)

Quick Hitters

-   Western Illinois transitioned from the Summit League to the Ohio Valley Conference on Jul. 1.
-   Western Illinois was picked 10th out of 11 teams in the OVC preseason polls. The Leathernecks collected 49 points. Tennessee Tech was selected to finish first with 196 points (16 first-place votes).
-   After finishing with Summit League Honorable Mention honors last season. Anna Deets was named to the OVC preseason team. Deets averaged 12.4 ppg and 4.4 rpg and made a name for herself with 49 made three-pointers.
-   Western Illinois opens with eight of their first 11 games inside Western Hall

Returning Starters
Western Illinois is set to return four or their five primary starters from last season. Anna Deets and Allissa Dins highlight the predicted starting five. Deets, an OVC preseason 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. Brownfield, now in her Sophomore campaign, 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.

Strong Bench
Western Illinois is known for playing a lot of different players every single 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. Flanagan appeared in all 30 games last season, averaging 11.7 minutes well, collecting 2.6 ppg and 2.4 rpg.

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 Mount Mercy
Monday's meeting will be the first time Western Illinois and Mount Mercy have squared up in a regular-season battle. The Mustangs come into Monday's matchup already playing two games this season, splitting them. Last season, the Mustangs finished with a 12-16 record, averaging 64.6 points per game.

Up Next
After opening the season at home, WIU travels to Wisconsin for a clash with the Badgers on Thursday (Nov. 9). The Leathernecks travel back home on Sunday (Nov. 12) to battle in-state rival Northern Illinois

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