MACOMB, Ill. (Interstat) — A dominant third-quarter surge propelled the Western Illinois Leathernecks to an 84-77 victory over the Bradley Braves in a nonconference women’s basketball game Thursday night at Western Hall.

In a contest defined by contrasting styles, Western Illinois remained undefeated on the season at 4-0, while Bradley evened its record at 2-2.

The game turned decisively in the third quarter. After a tightly contested first half that saw Bradley take a 38-32 lead into the break, the Leathernecks erupted for 30 points in the third period. Western Illinois relentlessly attacked the basket, drawing fouls and capitalizing at the free-throw line. The Leathernecks shot 24 for 27 from the stripe for the game, a stark contrast to Bradley’s 8-for-10 performance.

Bradley, which relied heavily on perimeter shooting, connected on 13 of 25 attempts from 3-point range but could not match Western Illinois’ efficiency inside the arc and at the line during the critical third-quarter run. The Braves’ offensive rating was 103.0 points per 100 possessions, while Western Illinois posted a markedly more efficient 117.0.

The Leathernecks’ offense was powered by a trio of high-scoring performances. Raegan McCowan, a 5-foot-11 guard from Lebanon, Missouri, led all scorers with 28 points. Teammate Mia Nicastro, a 6-2 forward from St. Charles, Missouri, added 23 points, and Addi Brownfield, a 5-9 guard from Boonville, Missouri, chipped in 19 points, including two crucial 3-pointers, and recorded a block.

Bradley was led by the sharp-shooting of Kaylen Nelson. The 5-10 guard from Tulsa, Oklahoma, scored 26 points, fueled by a hot hand from beyond the arc. Mya Wardle, a 5-7 hometown guard from Peoria, Illinois, provided 14 points and a team-high four assists for the Braves.

Western Illinois controlled the interior, outscoring Bradley 34-26 in the paint and securing eight offensive rebounds to Bradley’s three. The Leathernecks also committed only six turnovers, converting Bradley’s eight miscues into 12 points.

Despite the loss, Bradley stayed competitive with its long-range accuracy. The Braves weathered an early back-and-forth first quarter and built their halftime lead with a 21-point second quarter before the game slipped away in the third.

The victory extends Western Illinois’ strong start to the season, which includes previous wins over Chicago State, Northern Illinois and Westminster. Bradley, coming off a loss to IU Indy and a win over DePaul, will look to return to the win column in its next outing.

An announced crowd of 679 attended the game at Western Hall.

Bradley’s next game is at home against Bellarmine on Sunday. Western Illinois travels to face Iowa on Wednesday.