West Central Reporter

Western Illinois faced a setback in their first game of the season, losing to Missouri 75-55 at home. The match, attended by 1,853 fans, saw the Leathernecks show determination, particularly in the first and third quarters where they scored 17 points each.

Raegan McCowan was a standout for Western Illinois, scoring 27 points and making six out of ten free throws. She also contributed defensively with seven rebounds. Addi Brownfield added 12 points and excelled on defense with five steals.

The team demonstrated strong defensive efforts overall, registering 12 steals and five blocks. Mia Nicastro led in blocks with three. Western Illinois forced Missouri into 21 turnovers, converting these into 13 points. They also outperformed Missouri in points in the paint with a score of 22 compared to Missouri's 18. In fast-break situations, Western Illinois managed eight points.

Missouri's success came from their shooting accuracy, especially from beyond the arc, as well as contributions from their bench players. They shot 48% from three-point range and had a total field goal percentage of 44%. The Tigers' bench significantly outscored that of the Leathernecks with a contribution of 37 points against six.

Looking ahead, Western Illinois will travel to face Chicago State on Monday night at 6 p.m.

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