MACOMB, Ill.- Western Illinois women's basketball turned in one of its most complete performances of the season Thursday morning, rolling past St. Francis 90–55 inside Western Hall. The Leathernecks set the tone early and never wavered, pairing efficient scoring with dominant rebounding and a balanced offensive push that stretched the lead every quarter. WIU also shattered its program attendance record, drawing an impressive crowd of 3,167.
WIU wasted no time setting the tone, opening the game with a 25–10 first quarter fueled by interior scoring and second-chance opportunities. Raegan McCowan sparked the early surge, converting on multiple paint touches and helping the Leathernecks dominate the offensive glass. Western kept its foot on the gas in the second quarter, erupting for 31 points—its highest-scoring period of the afternoon. The offense clicked from all three levels as WIU hit five threes in the frame, stretched the floor, and continued to punish the Saints in transition. By halftime, the Leathernecks had built a commanding 56–29 advantage.
The second half brought more of the same: patient half-court execution on offense and active hands defensively. Western Illinois held St. Francis to just 15 points in the third quarter and 11 in the fourth, never allowing the visitors to find rhythm. WIU's depth also showed as the bench contributed valuable minutes, maintaining the defensive intensity and rebounding edge.
Mia Nicastro delivered a standout performance, finishing with 32 points and 18 rebounds, including three made threes and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line. She was electric on the court, pulling in 15 defensive boards and controlling tempo with her activity. Addi Brownfield nearly matched her production, pouring in 22 points on an efficient 7-for-8 shooting afternoon while adding nine rebounds and two blocks.
McCowan recorded a double-double of her own with 15 points and 10 rebounds, including seven offensive boards that helped WIU rack up 17 second-chance opportunities. Kaylen Reed directed the offense with poise, handing out a team-high seven assists, while Madison Davis added seven points in 11 minutes of strong relief play.
As a team, the Leathernecks shot 32-for-77 (42 percent) from the field, knocked down eight threes, and out-rebounded St. Francis 57–34—marking one of their strongest rebounding efforts this season. Western also piled up 44 points in the paint, 13 fast-break points, and capitalized on turnovers with 13 points going the other way.
Defensively, WIU held St. Francis to 26 percent shooting and contested nearly every attempt inside the arc. Tykara Harrison led the Saints with 19 points, but WIU's consistent pressure limited secondary scoring options and disrupted ball movement throughout the contest.
The win moves Western Illinois to 5–1, marking another step forward as they continue building momentum through nonconference play. With confidence growing on both ends of the floor and multiple players producing at a high level, the Leathernecks head into their next matchup with plenty of energy and an offense firing on all cylinders.
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