West Central Reporter

Western Illinois Women's Basketball faced a challenging road game against Eastern Illinois, ultimately losing 70-60. The Leathernecks, now holding a 7-6 overall record and 1-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), showed determination throughout the match. Key performances came from Raegan McCowan, who scored a team-high of 22 points and added seven rebounds, and Mia Nicastro, who contributed 18 points and three rebounds.

Despite the defeat, Western Illinois excelled at the free-throw line, making 26 out of 30 attempts. Their defensive efforts forced Eastern Illinois into committing 14 turnovers, resulting in the Leathernecks scoring 13 points from these opportunities.

While struggling with their three-point shooting, Western Illinois found success inside the paint with 24 points and maintained an aggressive pace that led to 16 fast-break points. In the final quarter, they mounted a comeback by scoring 22 points but were unable to overcome Eastern Illinois's lead.

Looking ahead, Western Illinois will return home to face UT Martin at Western Hall on Thursday night with tip-off set for 5:00 p.m.

For more information on Leatherneck Basketball or to get updates on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, fans are encouraged to visit GoLeathernecks.com.