MACOMB, Ill. (Interstat) — The Western Illinois Leathernecks used a dominant second half to pull away from the Morehead State Eagles, securing a 74-53 victory in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Saturday at Western Hall.

The game, organized by the Ohio Valley Conference and attended by 1,338 fans, saw the Leathernecks improve their season record to 23-4, while the Eagles fell to 17-12.

The contest was a tale of two halves, defined by a decisive third-quarter surge from the home team. Morehead State controlled the early stages, building a 29-24 halftime lead behind a strong first quarter where they scored 19 points. The Eagles’ defense held Western Illinois to just 24 points on 9-of-26 shooting in the first half.

The complexion of the game changed entirely after halftime. Western Illinois emerged from the break with renewed energy on both ends of the floor. The Leathernecks erupted for 22 points in the third quarter while simultaneously clamping down defensively, limiting Morehead State to 17. The run was fueled by the interior presence of Mia Nicastro and the all-around play of Addi Brownfield. Nicastro, a 6-foot-2 forward from St. Charles, Missouri, scored consistently in the paint, while Brownfield facilitated and scored from the perimeter.

The Leathernecks’ momentum only accelerated in the final period. They outscored the Eagles 28-7 in the fourth quarter, turning a competitive game into a lopsided affair. Western Illinois shot efficiently in the second half and capitalized on Morehead State’s mistakes, scoring 16 points off 18 Eagle turnovers for the game. The Leathernecks also found success at the free-throw line, making 19 of 26 attempts compared to Morehead State’s 6 of 11.

Addi Brownfield, a 5-foot-9 guard from Boonville, Missouri, led Western Illinois with a stat line of 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists in 29 minutes, showcasing the form that has made her a key contributor during the team’s successful season. Mia Nicastro was a force inside, scoring a game-high 24 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Mallory Shetley added 12 points and four assists, and Allie Meadows chipped in 13 points.

For Morehead State, Kate Dike, a 6-foot-3 forward from Kyiv, Ukraine, recorded a near double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds. Marie Sepp of Tallinn, Estonia, scored 10 points, but the Eagles struggled to find consistent offense outside of their top performers. The team shot just 39.2% from the field and 26.9% from three-point range while being hampered by turnovers.

The most important part of the game was the Leathernecks’ overwhelming third-quarter performance, which completely shifted the game’s trajectory. After being held in check for a half, Western Illinois’ offensive execution and defensive pressure in the period dismantled Morehead State’s early game plan and set the stage for the runaway fourth quarter.

The victory extended Western Illinois’s strong run of form and avenged a 63-53 loss to Morehead State in Kentucky just a month prior on Jan. 22. The Leathernecks will look to continue their momentum in their upcoming conference schedule. Morehead State will aim to regroup as they return home for their next contest.