Western Illinois Women Surge Past SEMO In OVC Clash

MACOMB, Ill. — On a brisk January evening, the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks women’s basketball team traveled to Macomb, Illinois, hoping to turn their season around against a formidable Western Illinois Leathernecks squad. The contest, held on January 29, 2026, was a pivotal Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) matchup, pitting the Redhawks (7-13, 3-8 OVC) against the surging Leathernecks (17-3, 9-2 OVC). While Southeast Missouri State showed flashes of brilliance, especially on the defensive end, it was Western Illinois who ultimately pulled away in the second half to secure a 69-55 victory.

From the opening tip, the Redhawks showed they weren’t going to back down. Kearra Jones set the tone early, sinking two free throws just over two minutes into the first quarter. Carmen Taylor quickly found her rhythm, knocking down a pair of three-pointers that kept Southeast Missouri State within striking distance. But as the clock wound down in the opening frame, Western Illinois’s Addi Brownfield delivered a buzzer-beating three-pointer, giving the Leathernecks a 15-12 lead at the first break.

Defensively, the Redhawks were relentless, racking up 11 steals and converting those turnovers into 20 points. Lexi McCully was a spark plug, opening the second quarter with a key steal that led to a Carmen Taylor free throw. Taylor continued her strong play, sinking four more free throws and adding a layup, while Jones muscled her way inside for a bucket. Madison Ayers and McCully each contributed from the field, but Western Illinois’s steady offense kept the visitors at bay. By halftime, the Leathernecks held a 30-24 advantage.

"We came out aggressive on defense, and that’s something we’ve been emphasizing in practice," said Redhawks head coach, reflecting on the team’s 11 steals and energetic start. But as the game wore on, Western Illinois’s depth and execution began to tell.

The third quarter saw Jones again open the scoring for Southeast Missouri State, but Brownfield answered immediately for the Leathernecks. Taylor’s three-pointer at the 9:09 mark, assisted by Jones, brought the Redhawks within three points, and Ayers’s layup trimmed the deficit to just two with over six minutes left in the quarter. The Redhawks were right in the thick of it—could they keep up the pressure?

That’s when Western Illinois found another gear. Capitalizing on fast breaks and crisp ball movement, the Leathernecks orchestrated a decisive 7-2 run, with Mia Nicastro making her presence felt on both ends of the floor. By the end of the third, the Leathernecks had stretched their lead to 47-35, putting the Redhawks in a tough spot heading into the final period.

Still, Southeast Missouri State refused to go quietly. Ayers ignited the fourth quarter with a steal and a layup, momentarily cutting into the Leathernecks’ cushion. Nicastro responded with a jumper and an assist, helping Western Illinois maintain their double-digit lead. McCully kept the Redhawks’ hopes alive with a three-pointer following a turnover, but time was running out.

When the final buzzer sounded, Western Illinois had secured a hard-fought 69-55 win, further solidifying their position as one of the OVC’s top teams. For Southeast Missouri State, it was another tough result in a challenging season, but there were plenty of positives to build on.

Raissa Nsabua led the Redhawks with 11 points, shooting an efficient 5-for-7 from the field and adding two steals. McCully matched her teammate with 11 points of her own, going 5-for-12 from the floor and also recording two steals. Ayers chipped in 10 points, three steals, and five rebounds, while Jones contributed eight points, eight rebounds, and two assists. The Redhawks’ ability to generate turnovers and convert them into points was a bright spot, and their defensive hustle gave Western Illinois plenty to think about.

"We forced turnovers and got out in transition, but we need to be more consistent on both ends," said McCully after the game. "Western Illinois is a great team, and they made us pay for our mistakes in the second half."

For Western Illinois, the victory marked their 17th win of the season and ninth in conference play, keeping them firmly in the hunt for the OVC title. The Leathernecks’ balanced attack and ability to adjust in the second half proved decisive, as they outscored the Redhawks 39-31 after halftime.

Despite the loss, Southeast Missouri State’s players and coaching staff remain optimistic. The team’s defensive prowess, highlighted by those 11 steals and 20 points off turnovers, shows that they have the tools to compete with the best in the conference. With several young players stepping up and experienced leaders like Jones and Taylor guiding the way, the Redhawks are determined to turn things around as the season progresses.

Looking ahead, Southeast Missouri State faces another tough test as they travel to Charleston, Illinois, to take on Eastern Illinois on Saturday, January 31. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. Central Time, and the Redhawks will be eager to bounce back and notch a much-needed conference win.

"We’ve got to keep grinding," said head coach. "There’s still a lot of basketball left, and I believe in this group. If we keep playing hard and stick together, the results will come."

As the Redhawks regroup and prepare for their next challenge, fans can take heart in the team’s resilience and never-say-die attitude. The loss to Western Illinois may sting, but the lessons learned on the court in Macomb could prove invaluable as Southeast Missouri State looks to finish the season strong.

For now, the Leathernecks celebrate another statement win, while the Redhawks turn the page and set their sights on Eastern Illinois, determined to write a new chapter in their 2025-26 campaign.