By Emma Hicken, Leatherneck Athletic Communications
MACOMB, Ill.- Western Illinois wrapped up its 2025-26 season Friday night with an 82-51 loss at North Carolina in Carmichael Arena, marking the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017. Up against a strong ACC team on the road, the Leathernecks hung around early but couldn't find a steady rhythm offensively, shooting 30.4 percent from the field and 2-of-15 from deep. The loss drops WIU to 1-3 this season when scoring 59 points or fewer.
North Carolina came out strong and grabbed control early. Western Illinois showed some fight in the second quarter, getting to the line and finding points from Mia Nicastro to stay within reach, but the Tar Heels responded and took a 38-24 lead into halftime. Out of the break, North Carolina pulled away with a big third quarter to stretch the lead past 20 to take full control.
Nicastro led the way again with 21 points, marking her 25th 20-point game this season, and added nine rebounds to pace the team. Mallory Shetley chipped in seven points, while Kaylen Reed had six points and a career-high seven rebounds. Katelyn Eggena and Sidney Skrobot added a spark off the bench with four and three points. As a team, WIU went 15-of-20 from the free throw line and scored 15 points off turnovers but struggled to keep up offensively.
North Carolina dominated inside, outscoring WIU 38-10 in the paint and winning the rebounding battle 47-32. Four Tar Heels finished in double figures, led by Nyla Harris with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Lanie Grant knocked down four threes on her way to 15 points. Their depth showed, with 27 points coming from the bench.
Western Illinois kept battling in the fourth, shooting over 50 percent and scoring 18 points, but the gap was too much to close. Even with the loss, the Leathernecks finish an impressive season at 26-6 overall, including a 16-4 mark in conference play, and a return to the NCAA Tournament.
FOLLOW THE LEATHERNECKS
For all the latest information on Leatherneck Women's Basketball, please visit GoLeathernecks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Leathernecks on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
