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

In front of an announced crowd of 679, the Leathernecks remained undefeated on the young season, improving to 4-0, while the Braves evened their record at 2-2.

The game was a tale of two halves, with the first half featuring a tight, back-and-forth contest. Bradley held a narrow 38-32 lead at halftime, fueled by a strong second quarter where they outscored Western Illinois 21-16. The Braves’ Kaylen Nelson from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was the offensive catalyst early, consistently finding her shot from beyond the arc.

The complexion of the game changed entirely after halftime. Western Illinois erupted for 30 points in the third quarter, overwhelming the Braves with a 20-4 run over a critical five-minute span. The Leathernecks’ offense, which had been held in check during the first half, found its rhythm with surgical precision.

Raegan McCowan of Lebanon, Missouri, led the charge, scoring a game-high 28 points. Her performance was complemented by a formidable inside-outside attack from her teammates. Mia Nicastro, a 6-foot-2 forward from St. Charles, Missouri, added 23 points, controlling the paint and providing a consistent scoring threat. Addi Brownfield of Boonville, Missouri, chipped in 19 points, including crucial three-pointers that stretched the Bradley defense.

Bradley, which had led by as many as nine points in the first half, could not recover from the third-quarter onslaught. Despite the deficit, the Braves continued to fight, outscoring Western Illinois 22-21 in the final period but never managing to close the gap to a single possession.

Nelson finished with a team-high 26 points for Bradley in the losing effort. Mya Wardle of Peoria, Illinois, provided support with 14 points and four assists, but the Braves’ defense had no answer for Western Illinois’s multifaceted offensive explosion in the decisive third quarter.

The Leathernecks’ victory extended their perfect start and showcased their offensive firepower, particularly from their key trio of McCowan, Nicastro and Brownfield. Bradley will look to rebound from the loss when it hosts Bellarmine on Sunday. Western Illinois, riding a wave of momentum, faces its next test on the road against Iowa on Wednesday.