Game # 21 & 22
Western Illinois (18-3, 10-2 OVC) vs Tennessee Tech (12-9, 5-7 OVC) | Tennessee State (3-18, 2-9 OVC)
Match Information:
Date: Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 | Saturday Feb. 7, 2026
Location: Cookeville, TN | Nashville, TN
Venue: Eblen Center | Gentry Center
Tip-Off: 5 p.m. CT | 1 p.m. CT
Last Meeting: Jan. 10, 2026, W 77-60 | Jan. 8, 2026, W 76-59
Live Stats: Stats | Stats
Live Video: Watch | Watch
Matchup
The Western Illinois women's basketball team hit the road to face the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles and the Tennessee State Tigers. The Leathernecks are 18-3 this season and 10-2 conference. Western Illinois is in its third year in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Last Time Out
Western Illinois is coming off a dominant 80–54 victory over UT Martin at Western Hall. The Leathernecks shot 50.8 percent from the field and built a 20-point halftime lead behind balanced scoring and strong ball movement. Mia Nicastro led the way with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Allie Meadows and Kaylen Reed each added 12 points. Addi Brownfield chipped in 11 points and six boards as WIU controlled the paint with 38 points inside and limited UT Martin to 37.3 percent shooting. The win moved the Leathernecks to 18–3 overall and 10–2 in OVC play.
Scouting the Golden Eagles
The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles enter the 2025-26 season as a knowledgeable and competitive squad in the Ohio Valley Conference, guided by 10th-year head coach Kim Rosamond and aiming to build on a historic 26-6 finish and OVC regular-season and tournament titles from the previous year. While the team's record has fluctuated through league play, they've showcased a balanced attack with multiple double-figure scorers like Reghan Grimes leading the offense and LaReesha Cawthorn anchoring the glass, and their ability to rebound and share scoring responsibilities makes them tough to game-plan against. Tennessee Tech's schedule includes challenging non-conference matchups designed to prepare them for the grind of OVC play, and their home environment at the Hooper Eblen Center aims to be a place where they can take control of games. Defensively and offensively, the Golden Eagles have shown resilience — capable of big second-half pushes and strong rebounding efforts — but will need consistency in shooting and depth performance to close out tight contests. Overall, TTU's blend of experienced leadership and strategic scheduling gives them the tools to be a contender in the OVC and potentially position themselves for postseason opportunities.
Scouting the Tigers
The Tennessee State Lady Tigers have navigated a challenging 2025-26 season under head coach Candice Dupree, showcasing grit and resilience despite early struggles in both non-conference and Ohio Valley Conference play; TSU opened with a hard-fought 59-53 loss at Middle Tennessee where sophomore Aaniya Webb led the team with 17 points and a strong effort on the glass highlighted by numerous offensive rebounds and defensive blocks, setting the tone for a team that competes physically in every quarter. While the Tigers' overall record reflects growing pains against higher-level competition, including a tough outing against ranked TCU that underscored defensive and scoring challenges, TSU's balanced effort on rebounds and energy in transition exemplifies their tenacious identity. Throughout the season, key contributors like Webb, Somah Kamara, Xai'Onna Whitfield, Erin Martin, and Kiki Roberts have provided sparks in scoring, rebounding, and defensive hustle, giving the Lady Tigers multiple avenues to impact games. While consistency and depth remain areas for growth, Tennessee State's competitive spirit — particularly in rebounding and defensive effort — offers a foundation to build on as they continue OVC play and pursue mid-season improvements and late pushes in close contests.
Up Next
The Leathernecks will come home for a short home stretch to face Eastern Illinois, Little Rock, USI, and Morehead. For more information, go to https://goleathernecks.com/sports/womens-basketball/schedule.
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