Game #8

Western Illinois (5-1, 0-0 OVC) vs St. Francis (1-6, 0-0 MVC) 

Match Information:

Date: Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025

Location: Des Moines, IA

Venue: Knapp Center

Tip-Off: 2 p.m. CT

Last Meeting: Nov. 10, 2018, L 71-98

Live Stats: Stats

Live Video: Watch

Matchup

The Western Illinois women's basketball team heads to Des Moines, Iowa to face the Drake Bulldogs on December 7. The Leathernecks are 5-1 this season. Western Illinois is in its third year in the Ohio Valley Conference. 

Last Time Out

Western Illinois is coming off a dominant 90–55 victory over St. Francis (IL) on Thursday morning inside Western Hall. The Leathernecks controlled the matchup from the opening tip, using a 25-point first quarter and a 31-point second frame to build a massive halftime lead. Mia Nicastro powered the performance with 32 points and 18 rebounds, while Addi Brownfield added 22 points and Raegan McCowan posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 boards. WIU out-rebounded the Saints 57–34, held them to 26 percent shooting, and tallied 44 points in the paint as the Leathernecks improved to 5–1 on the season.

Scouting Drake

Drake enters the 2025–26 season looking to regroup behind a largely guard-driven lineup and a young roster still searching for consistency. The Bulldogs opened the year with a slow start and have relied heavily on returners like Abbie Aalsma and Ava Hawthorne to carry the scoring load, while younger contributors such as Grace Knutson and Maggie Taylor continue to grow into bigger roles. Drake traditionally thrives on tempo, ball movement, and efficient three-point shooting, but defensive lapses and roster inexperience have created early challenges. With head coach Allison Pohlman now in her fifth season, the Bulldogs aim to settle into a more balanced rotation, tighten their defensive execution, and rebuild the cohesion needed to contend in a competitive Missouri Valley Conference.

Up Next

The Leathernecks will come home to face Columbia College Dec. 9. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT. For more information, go to https://goleathernecks.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule.

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