MACOMB, Ill- In a game that showed the Leathernecks' heart and hustle, Western Illinois (13-12, 7-9 OVC) battled through early struggles and overtime to secure a 78-73 victory over Morehead State at Western Hall on Saturday afternoon.
After starting the game off two-for-nine from the floor in the opening minutes of the game, the Leathernecks only managed to score 10 points in the opening quarter. However, the second half saw a different squad take the floor for the Leathernecks, as they turned up the defensive intensity and found their rhythm offensively, particularly through Raegan
McCowan
and Mia Nicastro, who provided a powerful inside presence.
McCowan delivered another strong performance on the season, pouring in a game-high 34 points. She was relentless in attacking the basket, earning 14 trips to the free throw line and converting on 12 of them. Her ability to break down the defense and score in traffic was a key factor in the Leathernecks' comeback. McCowan also contributed defensively, securing five rebounds and playing a season-high 42 minutes. When the game reached crunch time, she hit crucial shots and maintained her composure at the line.
Nicastro played a pivotal role as well this afternoon, registering a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds. She was a force in the paint, battling Morehead State's Forwards and controlling the boards. Nicastro's defensive presence helped limit second-chance opportunities for the Eagles, and her efficiency at the line (6-of-6 free throws) proved valuable in a game decided by just five points. The Leathernecks dominated at the free-throw line, converting 30-of-35 attempts (85.7%) which proved to be the difference-maker in a tightly contested battle.
Western Illinois saw key contributions from several other players as Mallory McDermott chipped in with 11 points, adding an important scoring punch in the second half. Addi Brownfield filled up the stat sheet with seven points, five rebounds, and three assists, but her defense was just as important, tallying two steals and one block before fouling out late in the game. Madison Davis and Allie Meadows each played crucial minutes, providing defensive stops and helping to manage the game down the stretch.
The Leathernecks would force overtime with clutch free throws and defensive stands. The extra period was all about execution, and Western Illinois delivered. They outscored Morehead State 14-9 in overtime and had a couple of back-to-back defensive stands that forced multiple late turnovers. Despite not making a single three pointer, Western Illinois found other ways to win.
WIU will look to build on this performance as they prepare for their next conference showdown next week as they will take on SEMO and Little Rock next Thursday and Saturday on the road.
FOLLOW THE LEATHERNECKS
For all the latest information on Leatherneck Basketball, please visit GoLeathernecks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Leathernecks on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
