Game # 25
Western Illinois (21-4, 13-3 OVC) vs Southern Indiana (18-7, 12-4 OVC) | Morehead State (16-11, 11-5 OVC)
Match Information:
Date: Thursday Feb. 19, 2026 | Saturday Feb. 21, 2026
Location: Macomb, IL
Venue: Western Hall
Tip-Off: 5 p.m. CT | 1 p.m. CT
Last Meeting: Jan. 23, 2026, W 72-62 | Jan. 17, 2026, L 53-63
Live Stats: Stats
Live Video: Watch | Watch
Matchup
The Western Illinois women's basketball team will continue their home stretch by facing Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles and the Morehead Eagles. The Leathernecks are 21-4 this season and 13-3 conference. Western Illinois is in its third year in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Last Time Out
The Western Illinois Leathernecks defended home court with an 84-73 victory over Little Rock Trojans inside Western Hall. WIU improved to 21-4 overall and 13-3 in conference play behind a dominant fourth quarter that saw the Leathernecks outscore Little Rock 29-16. Mia Nicastro led the charge with a game-high 37 points, shooting 11-of-20 from the field and a perfect 13-of-13 from the free throw line, while adding six rebounds and three blocks. Addi Brownfield chipped in 17 points and seven rebounds, and Kaylen Reed added 15 as Western Illinois shot 50.9 percent from the floor and 96 percent from the line to continue its home win streak.
Scouting the Screaming Eagles
The Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles enter the 2025-26 season as a competitive force in the Ohio Valley Conference, blending returning experience with new pieces. Senior guard Ali Saunders leads the backcourt with strong scoring and playmaking, while junior forwards Sophia Loden and Chloe Gannon provide size, rebounding and consistent offensive production. The Eagles play a disciplined style, averaging around 70.6 points per game and defending stoutly, allowing just 55.6 points on average last season. USI added transfer guard Sarang West to bolster ball-handling and court vision, enhancing depth in the perimeter rotation. The Screaming Eagles also face a challenging non-conference slate designed to prepare them for OVC play, including matchups with NCAA Division I opponents like Tennessee and Northern Kentucky. As one of the league's upper-tier teams, USI looks to leverage its balanced roster and defensive intensity into another successful campaign.
Scouting the Eagles
The Morehead State Eagles women's basketball team enters the 2025-26 season under head coach Ashton Feldhaus, ushering in a new era with a roster that blends returning leadership and international talent. Senior guard Kate Dike leads the charge as the team's top scorer and rebounder, anchoring an offense that looks to remain balanced throughout league play. The Eagles' backcourt features a diverse mix of players, including senior guards Marie Sepp and Laura Toffali, as well as a strong international contingent with Josefine Enander, Anja Ekstrom, and Violet McNece adding perimeter scoring threats. MSU's non-conference slate was purposely stout, featuring Power Five opponents like Kentucky, Louisville and Notre Dame early to prepare the squad for Ohio Valley Conference competition. Morehead State has shown it can compete with quality teams and will look to leverage its shooting and defensive effort to climb the OVC standings in 2025-26.
Up Next
The Leathernecks will hit the road to face SIUE before wrapping up their regular season at home against Lindenwood. For more information, go to https://goleathernecks.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule.
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