MACOMB, Ill. (Interstat) — Western Illinois dominated the second and fourth quarters to defeat SIU Edwardsville 75-51 in nonconference women’s basketball Monday afternoon at Western Hall. The Leathernecks, improving to 10-1, used a 22-5 second-quarter surge to take command after a 15-15 first-quarter tie. The Cougars (8-4) could not recover, despite 21 points from Lauren Miller. Mia Nicastro led Western Illinois with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Mallory Shetley added 13 points. Western Illinois shot efficiently while holding SIU Edwardsville to a five-point second quarter. Attendance was 1,235.

MACOMB, Ill. (Interstat) — The Western Illinois women’s basketball team used a dominant second quarter and a stifling defensive effort to pull away from SIU Edwardsville for a 75-51 victory in an Ohio Valley Conference game Monday afternoon at Western Hall. The Leathernecks, who entered the game with a 91.8% win probability according to National Statistical’s ELO system, improved to 10-1 overall. The Cougars fell to 8-4. The game was tightly contested through the first quarter, ending in a 15-15 deadlock. The decisive shift came in the second period, where Western Illinois outscored SIU Edwardsville 22-5. The Leathernecks’ defense was the catalyst, forcing eight Cougar turnovers in the quarter while holding them to just 2-of-12 shooting from the field. That 10-minute stretch turned a tie game into a 37-20 halftime lead for the home team, a deficit from which SIU Edwardsville never recovered. Western Illinois maintained control throughout the second half, answering any modest Cougar run with immediate scores. The Leathernecks’ lead ballooned to as many as 27 points in the fourth quarter before settling at the final 24-point margin. Mia Nicastro led Western Illinois with a double-double, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Mallory Shetley added 13 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks, while Addi Brownfield chipped in 12 points. The Leathernecks’ depth was on full display as Madison Davis scored 11 points off the bench and Allie Meadows added 10. The Leathernecks excelled in nearly every facet, shooting 43.5% from the field compared to SIU Edwardsville’s 36.5%. They also dominated the assist column 12-4 and the turnover battle, committing only six giveaways while forcing 17 Cougar turnovers, which they converted into 23 points. Western Illinois also had 12 steals and five blocks. SIU Edwardsville was led by Lauren Miller, who scored a game-high 21 points. Kiyoko Proctor added 14 points for the Cougars, who struggled to find consistent offense outside of that duo. Syanne Mohamed contributed eight rebounds but also committed five of her team’s 17 turnovers. The attendance was 1,235. Western Illinois next plays at Tennessee-Martin on Jan. 1. SIU Edwardsville returns home to host Southern Indiana on the same date.

Preview: Surging Western Illinois Hosts SIU Edwardsville in Ohio Valley Clash MACOMB, Ill. (Interstat) — Two of the Ohio Valley Conference’s hottest teams will meet Monday when the Western Illinois Leathernecks host the SIU Edwardsville Cougars in a nonconference women’s basketball game at Western Hall. Western Illinois (9-1) enters on a five-game winning streak, boasting the best record in the OVC. The Leathernecks’ lone loss came on the road against then-Iowa on Nov. 26. Since then, they have dominated, winning their last three games by an average of 30.3 points before a 74-65 road victory at Lindenwood on Thursday. Addi Brownfield has been a consistent force, averaging 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists over her last five contests. In the win over Lindenwood, Mia Nicastro led all scorers with 23 points. SIU Edwardsville (8-3) has won six of its last seven, including a gritty 59-52 double-overtime road win at Eastern Illinois on Thursday. The Cougars are led by guard Kiyoko Proctor, who logged 40 minutes and scored a team-high 17 points in that victory. Over her last five games, Proctor is averaging 12.0 points and 3.4 assists, providing steady backcourt leadership. The matchup features a contrast in recent schedules. Western Illinois has overwhelmed its opposition, scoring 90 or more points three times this season. SIU Edwardsville has faced tighter contests, with four of its last five wins decided by 10 points or fewer, highlighting its resilience in close games. This game serves as a final nonconference tune-up before both teams dive into OVC play in January. Western Illinois will look to protect its home court, where it is 5-0 this season and averaging 91.2 points per game. SIU Edwardsville aims to continue its road success, having already secured four wins away from home. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST Monday. The Leathernecks open OVC play on the road at Tennessee-Martin on Jan. 1, while the Cougars begin conference action at home against Southern Indiana the same day.