Game # 11
Western Illinois (10-1, 2-0 OVC) vs UT Martin (5-6, 1-1 OVC)
Match Information:
Date: Thursday, Jan. 1, 2025
Location: Martin, TN
Venue: Elam Center
Tip-Off: 1 p.m. CT
Last Meeting: Mar. 5, 2025, W 78-72
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: Watch
Matchup
The Western Illinois women's basketball team rings in the new year by facing the UT Martin Skyhawks. The Leathernecks are 10-1 this season. Western Illinois is in its third year in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Last Time Out
Western Illinois rolled past SIUE, 75–51, inside Western Hall to close out non-conference play. The Leathernecks used a dominant second quarter — outscoring the Cougars 22–5 — to build a cushion they never surrendered. Mia Nicastro powered the effort with a double-double (19 points, 11 rebounds), while Mallory Shetley added 13 points and Allie Meadows chipped in 10. WIU controlled the paint (42–24), turned 21 SIUE turnovers into 24 points, and finished 16-of-20 at the free-throw line to move to 10–1 on the season and 2–0 in OVC play.
Scouting the Cougars
The UT Martin Skyhawks women's basketball team enters the 2025-26 season with experience blended with fresh talent, competing at the top of the Ohio Valley Conference. Head coach Kevin McMillan returns key veteran guard Kenley McCarn, who leads the Skyhawks in scoring and playmaking, while forward Zy Thompson anchors the frontcourt with strong rebounding prowess. Complementing their leadership are seasoned returners like Norah Clark and dynamic newcomers, including Brittani Wells, Sidney Blackwell, and Sidni Middleton, giving UTM a deeper and more versatile roster. Through the early part of the campaign, the Skyhawks have shown balanced scoring and competitive defense, sitting near the upper tier of the OVC standings and consistently challenging opponents on both ends of the floor. UT Martin's blend of veteran savvy and youthful energy has yielded a mix of quality wins and tightly contested games, making them a formidable opponent — one that Western Illinois will need to prepare for with disciplined execution and relentless effort on both offense and defense.
Up Next
The Leathernecks will continue their road trip by facing the SEMO Redhawks Jan. 3. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. CT. For more information, go to https://goleathernecks.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule.
FOLLOW THE LEATHERNECKS
For all the latest information on Leatherneck Women's Basketball, please visit GoLeathernecks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Leathernecks on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
