Game #1: Exhibition
Western Illinois (0-0, 0-0 OVC) vs Quincy (0-0, 0-0 GLVC)
Match Information:
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025
Location: Macomb, IL
Venue: Western Hall
Tip-Off: 7 p.m. CT
All-Time Series: 63-48
Last Meeting: Nov. 1, 2024- 63-48 win
Note: The exhibition game is free of charge and does not require a ticket.
Matchup
MACOMB IL - The Western Illinois women's basketball team starts their 2025-26 campaign hosting the Hawks of Quincy University on Tuesday, Oct. 28th at 7 p.m. CT. WIU is in its third season in the Ohio Valley Conference. This marks the second time these two squads will be matched up against each other. The previous time the Leathernecks faced the Hawks was in 2024, with a 63-48 win.
Head coach JD Gravina returns a core group from last year, including OVC Preseason Players to Watch senior guards Allie Meadows and Addi Brownfield. WIU returns 11 players from the 2024-25 season, with junior guard Raegan McCowan and senior forward Mia Nicastro making the returning All-OVC Players list.
The Leathernecks welcome some new faces, including Bourbon, MO native Mallory Shetly, who played at Columbia during her time as an undergrad. Freshman forward Sidney Skrobot comes to Macomb from Sudbury, Ontario in Canada.
Quincy is coached by Ali Schwagmeyer-Belger, who enters her first season. Schwagmeyer-Belger's accolades include being the Head Coach at John Wood Community College in 2024 and playing professionally in Germany, Spain, and Australia. Schwagmeyer-Belger earned all-star honors while playing in Perth. Last season, the Hawks went 25-8 and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament, where they had an opening round loss against Grand Valley State University
Players to Watch
Raegan McCowan returns to Macomb after recording 1,000 points a season ago in just her sophomore season. McCowan made the All-OVC Players List and the 2026 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Watch List. With a record of 1,342 points and an average of 80% rebound, McCowan is anticipated to take the lead in the Leathernecks.
Mia Nicastro returns to the Leathernecks after an intense season. With 519 points, 73% average in rebounds, and 48% average total Nicastro made her mark for the 2024-25 season, and as one of the All-OVC Players List, Nicastro is anticipated to make her mark.
OVC Preseason Rankings
The Ohio Valley Conference released its 2025-26 women's basketball preseason predicted order of finish earlier this offseason. The Leathernecks were selected to finish third after going 17-17 a season ago and 8-12 in conference. Western Illinois received 166 points in the preseason poll, which put them in third heading into the season. This marks the highest ranking for the WIU women's basketball team in its three seasons in the league.
The OVC Champions Lindenwood Lions were selected to win the OVC after receiving six of the 22 first-place votes for a total of 179 points. Tennessee Tech finished in second (175 points, 12 first-place votes) with fourth going to Southern Indiana (147) and Eastern Illinois (121) taking fifth followed by UT Martin, Little Rock, Tennessee State, SEMO, Morehead State, and SIUE.
The Ohio Valley Conference also selected two 'Players To Watch" from each OVC school to start the upcoming season. McCowan and Nicastro were tabbed as WIU's players to watch for the 2025-26 season.
Scouting Quincy
The Hawks return their leading scorer from a season ago, Acheampomaa Danso, who averaged 8.1 points per game. Danso played all 33 games, finishing the season with a record of 55% total, 77% in free throws, and 62% in rebounds. Hampton Williams enters her first season at Quincy and is a native of Salina, KS. Williams played one season at Abilene Christian, where she finished with 11 points. Williams transferred to Kansas Wesleyan averaged 16.8 points, 12 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 16 blocks, and 15 steals per game during her time at Kansas.
Head Coach: Ali Schwagmeyer-Belger
Belger was named head coach of the Quincy women's basketball program on April 29, 2025. Schwagmeyer-Belger arrives in Quincy, IL., after spending one season as the head coach of John Wood Community College women's basketball. Schwagmeyer-Belger completed her 20th season as a high school head coach, as she led Camp Point Central High School.
Up Next
The Leathernecks will follow the exhibition with a home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 4th, when they take on Westminster College inside Western Hall. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. CT. For more information, go to https://goleathernecks.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule.
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