Preview: Western Illinois at Tennessee-Martin MARTIN, Tenn. (Interstat) — A surging Western Illinois women’s basketball team will put its nine-game winning streak on the line when it visits Tennessee-Martin in an Ohio Valley Conference matchup on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at Skyhawk Arena. The Leathernecks (10-1, 1-0 OVC) have been dominant since a November loss to Iowa, winning their last nine contests by an average margin of 26.2 points. Their most recent victory was a 75-51 conference win over SIU Edwardsville on Dec. 22, powered by a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double from standout forward Mia Nicastro. Nicastro has been the engine for Western Illinois, averaging 20.7 points and 9.2 rebounds over her last six games. She posted a 32-point, 18-rebound performance against St. Francis on Dec. 4 and has recorded three double-doubles in that stretch. Tennessee-Martin (4-6, 1-1) looks to rebound from a 74-62 road loss at Tennessee Tech on Dec. 20. The Skyhawks have shown offensive sparks, including an 86-79 win at Tennessee State, but have struggled for consistency. Guard Sidni Middleton leads the Skyhawks, coming off a 25-point effort against Tennessee Tech. She averages 12.4 points per game but has been prone to scoring fluctuations, being held to single digits in three of her last five outings. The game presents a stark contrast in trajectories. Western Illinois ranks among national leaders in scoring margin, while Tennessee-Martin seeks to defend its home court and level its conference record. The Leathernecks’ balanced attack, which also features regular contributors Mallory Shetley and Addi Brownfield, will test a Skyhawks defense allowing 68.2 points per game. This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the teams this season. They are set to meet again in Macomb, Illinois, on Jan. 31. Following this contest, Western Illinois will travel to face Southeast Missouri State on Saturday. Tennessee-Martin will host Eastern Illinois the same day.