MACOMB, Ill.- Western Illinois put together a complete performance on both ends of the floor Saturday afternoon, rolling past Omaha, 90–41, inside Western Hall in Macomb.
The Leathernecks set the tone early, opening the game with strong defensive pressure and efficient offense to take a 25–9 lead after the first quarter. WIU forced eight Omaha turnovers in the opening 10 minutes and capitalized with points in transition, building early separation behind balanced scoring and ball movement.
Western Illinois continued to apply pressure in the second quarter, outscoring the Mavericks 27–9 to carry a commanding 52–18 advantage into halftime. The Leathernecks dominated the paint during the first half, consistently getting high-percentage looks at the rim while holding Omaha to just nine made field goals before the break. WIU also turned defense into offense, finishing the half with 24 points off turnovers.
The momentum carried into the third quarter as Western Illinois maintained control on both ends. The Leathernecks pushed the pace, scoring in transition and continuing to attack inside, while limiting Omaha's opportunities. WIU won the third quarter 19–12, extending the lead to 71–30 heading into the final period.
With the outcome well in hand, Western Illinois stayed steady in the fourth quarter, matching Omaha's energy while continuing to rotate players and keep pressure on the Mavericks defensively. The Leathernecks closed the game with a 19–11 final-quarter edge to seal the 49-point victory.
Allie Meadows led the way for WIU with a game-high 18 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting, including a pair of three-pointers, while adding three steals on the defensive end. Raegan McCowan followed with 17 points and five rebounds, consistently scoring around the basket. Addi Brownfield contributed 14 points, four rebounds, two steals, and two blocks, while Mia Nicastro recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds to anchor the interior.
Western Illinois finished the game shooting 53.6 percent from the field and totaled 56 points in the paint. The Leathernecks forced 25 Omaha turnovers and converted them into 33 points, while also holding advantages in fast-break points (18–2) and bench scoring (23–11).
Omaha was led by Sarai Estupiñan, who scored 15 points, knocking down three three-pointers. Ali Stephens added seven points and six rebounds for the Mavericks, who were limited to 31.4 percent shooting for the game.
With the win, Western Illinois improved to 8–1 on the season, continuing a strong start at home, while Omaha fell to 1–10.
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