Game #2
Western Illinois (1-0, 0-0 OVC) vs Westminster (0-1, 0-0 SLIAC)
Match Information:
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025
Location: Macomb, IL
Venue: Western Hall
Tip-Off: 7 p.m. CT
Last Meeting: First time
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: Watch
Matchup
MACOMB, Ill.- The Western Illinois women's basketball team hosts the Westminster College Blue Jays on Tuesday, Nov. 4th at 7 p.m. CT. WIU is in its third season in the Ohio Valley Conference.
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 graduate Mallory Shetly, who played at Columbia College during her time as an undergrad. Freshman forward Sidney Skrobot comes to Macomb from Sudbury, Ontario in Canada.
Westminster is coached by Talisha Washington, who enters her fifth season. Washington's accolades include bringing the 2021 SLIAC Conference Tournament Title. Washington earned the 2021 SLIAC Coach of the Year award. Last season, the Blue Jays went 20-6 and earned a spot in the SLIAC Tournament, where they had a semifinal loss against Principia.
Players to Watch
Raegan McCowan returns to Macomb after recording more than 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. Due to her last season's performance of averaging 22.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, McCowan is anticipated to take the lead in the Leathernecks.
Mia Nicastro returns to the Leathernecks after an intense season. Nicastro averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season. Nicastro made her mark for the 2024-25 season, and as one of the All-OVC Players List, Nicastro is anticipated to be a strong force for the Leathernecks this season.
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.
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. Senior guards Addi Brownfield and Alli Meadows were tabbed as WIU's players to watch for the 2025-26 season.
Scouting Westminster
The Blue Jays return their leading scorer from a season ago, senior guard Annette Ramirez, who averaged 23.5 points per game, playing all 22 games. She finished the season with shooting 77% from the free-throw line while averaging 5.4 rebounds per game. Senior guard Olivia Hixson is a native of Neosho, MO. Hixon finished the season with 8.1 points per game and 4.2 rebounds.
Head Coach: Talisha Washington
Washington was named head coach of the Westminster women's basketball program May 2019. Washington arrives in Fulton, MO., after working on the administrative side for the Calloway County YMCA and the Missouri State High School Activities Association. Washington is an alumnus of Westminster, playing on the Blue Jays' women's basketball team from 2010-2013.
Up Next
The Leathernecks will follow their competition against Westminster College inside Western Hall by traveling to face Northern Illinois. 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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