The Western Illinois University Leathernecks women’s basketball team is set to conclude its Ohio Valley Conference regular season with two games against SIUE and Lindenwood. The Leathernecks, who have a 23-4 overall record and are 15-3 in conference play, will travel to Edwardsville to face the SIUE Cougars on Thursday before returning home to Macomb for a matchup with Lindenwood on Saturday.
In their most recent game, Western Illinois secured a 74-53 win over Morehead State University at Western Hall. After trailing at halftime and being tied after three quarters, the Leathernecks scored 28 points in the fourth quarter to pull away. Mia Nicastro led with 24 points and eight rebounds, while Addi Brownfield contributed 20 points and four three-pointers. The team shot 45.3 percent from the field and made seven three-point shots.
SIUE enters the contest under head coach Samantha Quigley-Smith in her fourth year. The Cougars finished last season with a 10-14 record and are expected to be in the lower tier of the conference standings this year. Senior players Macy Silvey and Jaiden Bryant offer leadership and scoring from the perimeter, while freshmen such as Kiyoko Proctor and Lauren Miller have already made an impact. Syanne Mohamed anchors the frontcourt defensively, and junior Ava Gugliuzza adds shooting depth. SIUE has shown strength in transition offense but relies on rebounding fundamentals for defensive success.
Lindenwood University comes into the final weekend looking to maintain momentum within the Ohio Valley Conference. Known for physical play, balanced scoring, and disciplined defense, Lindenwood often challenges opponents by forcing difficult half-court possessions and creating second-chance opportunities through strong rebounding.
Western Illinois will host Lindenwood at Western Hall in Macomb for their final regular-season game. More information about upcoming games can be found on their official schedule.
The Leathernecks compete as part of Western Illinois University’s intercollegiate athletics program, based in Macomb, Illinois. They participate in the Ohio Valley Conference and adopted their nickname as a tribute to the U.S. Marine Corps.
For updates on Western Illinois University Leathernecks Women’s Basketball, visit GoLeathernecks.com or follow them on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
