TUESDAY'S SCORES
Eastern Illinois 79, @Bradley 67
@Western Illinois 78, Omaha 75
EASTERN ILLINOIS 79, BRADLEY 67
PEORIA, Ill. - Eastern Illinois women's basketball jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the opening minute and never looked back as the Panthers picked up their second win of the season with a 79-67 win at Bradley (3-5).
Macy McGlone collected her fourth straight double-double with 32 points and 16 rebounds as she scored ten points in the opening quarter as the Panthers raced out to a 25-14 lead in the first quarter.
McGlone was almost to her double-double at the half with 24 points and eight rebounds. She would collect the double-double in the third quarter.
EIU shot 60 percent from the field in the opening half and finished the game shooting 47 percent for the game.
The Panthers led by seven points at the half, 48-41, quickly extending that lead to double digits in the opening minute of the third quarter on a bucket by McGlone and free throws by Ellie Colson. Bradley would get the lead down to nine points just one time the remainder of the game.
Miah Monahan (21 points) and Charita "Tiny" Lewis (13 points) joined McGlone in double figure scoring for EIU.
Bradley was led by Callie Zeibell with 14 points as the Braves had four players score in double figures but could not overcome the quick start to the game by EIU.
WESTERN ILLINOIS 78, OMAHA 75
DEKALB, Ill. - Western Illinois women's basketball team defied the odds by erasing a 12-point halftime deficit to secure a hard-fought 78-75 victory against the University of Omaha. This win extends WIU's impressive win streak to seven games, solidifying their dominant 8-1 record for the season.
The game's early moments saw Raegan McCowan making an impact, notching two quick buckets to give WIU a 4-2 lead in the first quarter. Addi Brownfield extended the lead to three with a clutch three-point basket, showcasing the team's offensive prowess. However, Omaha responded with a 12-0 run, only broken by Carla Flores' mid-range jump shot with 2:51 left in the opening frame. Despite ending the first quarter with a 26-15 lead, Omaha extended their advantage, reaching a 16-point lead multiple times.
The turning point occurred in the second quarter when Brownfield cut the deficit to nine points (35-26) with 2:42 left. Nevertheless, Omaha maintained control, heading into halftime with a 41-29 lead. Determined to mount a comeback, WIU started chipping away at Omaha's lead in the third quarter. Baskets by McCowan, Brownfield, and Allie Meadows narrowed the deficit to six (46-40), setting the stage for an intense comeback.
Anna Deets and Brownfield combined forces, propelling WIU into the lead at 48-46 with 4:38 remaining in the third quarter. Alissa Dins contributed to the surge, helping WIU establish its largest lead at 56-52. The team kept up the momentum, with Carla Flores sinking a crucial three-pointer and McCowan adding two free throws to secure a 10-point advantage (64-54) heading into the final frame.
However, Omaha refused to go down without a fight, storming into the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run in the first two minutes, tying the game at 64. WIU responded resiliently, with Brownfield, Deets, and Dins pushing the lead back to seven at 71-64. McCowan's efforts ensured a six-point lead with 3:37 left. Despite Omaha's late-game surge, cutting the lead to two (77-75) in the final 30 seconds, McCowan's crucial free throw sealed the victory for WIU with a final score of 78-75.
Raegan McCowan emerged as the star player, leading WIU with an impressive performance of 25 points and six rebounds. Addi Brownfield secured a double-double, contributing 22 points and 11 rebounds while showcasing her all-around skills with five assists, three steals, and four blocks. Alissa Dins added eight points, nine rebounds, and five assists to the team's winning effort.
The Leathernecks showcased their efficiency, shooting 46.8% from the field (29-62). Notably, they dominated in second-chance points, outscoring Omaha 19-2, highlighting their tenacity under the basket. WIU's remarkable comeback extends their winning streak and underscores their resilience and ability to perform under pressure.