Preview: Southeast Missouri State at Western Illinois (Women’s Basketball)

MACOMB, Ill. (Interstat) — A surging Western Illinois squad looks to continue its dominant season when it hosts Southeast Missouri State in an Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball matchup Thursday night at Western Hall.

The Leathernecks (16-3 overall) have established themselves as a conference force, winning six of their last seven games. Their only loss in that stretch was a 63-53 defeat at Morehead State on Jan. 22. They responded with a 72-62 road victory at Southern Indiana last Friday, led by Addi Brownfield’s 14 points and five assists and a game-high 24 points from Mia Nicastro.

Western Illinois defeated Southeast Missouri (7-12) 58-51 in Cape Girardeau just over three weeks ago on Jan. 3. In that game, Brownfield posted a double-double with 10 rebounds and three assists to complement a balanced scoring attack.

Brownfield has been a consistent catalyst, averaging 12.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists over her last eight contests. Her versatility will be key against a Redhawks team seeking consistency.

Southeast Missouri arrives with momentum from a 67-57 home win over Arkansas-Little Rock last Thursday, which snapped a three-game skid. Lexi McCully led with 18 points in that victory, while guard Raissa Nsabua added 12 points and four assists.

Nsabua, the Redhawks’ primary playmaker, is averaging 6.9 points and 5.0 assists per game in conference play. She dished out seven assists in the previous meeting with Western Illinois but was held to six points.

The Redhawks have struggled on the road this season, while Western Illinois boasts a formidable 9-1 record at home. The Leathernecks’ defense, which allows just 59.2 points per game, will test a Southeast Missouri offense averaging 62.7.

Thursday’s contest is the second of two regular-season meetings. Following this game, Western Illinois hosts Tennessee-Martin on Saturday, while Southeast Missouri travels to face Eastern Illinois.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST.