ST. CHARLES, Mo. - The Lindenwood women's basketball team (1-2) earned its first win of the 2026-27 campaign with a 62-49 victory over Evansville (0-2). It also marked the first head coaching win for Phil Sayers.

Lindenwood jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead after Violet McNece knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the opening minute. Evansville tied the game at six, but the Lions responded with the next seven points to take a 13-6 advantage. The Black and Gold would carry a 16-9 lead into the second.

Another McNece three to begin the second made the score 19-11. The Lions continued to lead throughout the quarter despite Evansville shooting 78 percent in the middle frame and took a 27-25 advantage into the break.

In the third quarter, Lindenwood held Evansville to 20 percent shooting and opened the frame with a 9-2 run to grab a 36-27 lead. A Saniah Tyler three with four minutes to play extended the Lions' advantage to double digits, and they would hold a 10-point lead at 40-30 heading into the fourth.

Lindenwood led by as many as 14 in the fourth after a Konstantina Mantziori three put the Lions up 50-36 with 6:32 to play. Evansville chipped away and got it within nine, but the Black and Gold were able to see the game out and pick up a 62-49 win
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NEBRASKA 98, WESTERN ILLINOIS 35
LINCOLN, Neb. - Western Illinois women's basketball faced its first road test of the 2026-27 season on Saturday afternoon, falling to Nebraska 98-35 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

The Cornhuskers came out strong in the opening quarter, building a 28-9 advantage behind an efficient offensive attack. Western Illinois shot 40 percent from the field in the opening period, with Mia Nicastro leading the way offensively as the Leathernecks looked to keep pace.

Nebraska continued to build its lead in the second quarter, outscoring Western Illinois 21-8 to take a 49-17 advantage into halftime. The Leathernecks had trouble finding consistent offensive opportunities against the Huskers' defensive pressure.

The third quarter proved challenging for Western Illinois, as Nebraska added 26 points while limiting the Leathernecks to just six. Western Illinois continued to battle in the final period, scoring 12 points, including both of its three-pointers on the afternoon, but Nebraska maintained control to secure the 98-35 victory.

Nicastro led Western Illinois with 16 points, shooting 7-of-14 from the field while adding three rebounds and a block. She accounted for nearly half of the Leathernecks' scoring. Sidney Skrobot added four rebounds and three points, while Kaylen Reed finished with five points and an assist. Shelby Bowman contributed four points and two assists.