Peoria, Ill. – Bradley Women's Basketball concludes their first road trip when they take on the Western Illinois Leathernecks on Thursday, November 20, at 7:00 p.m.
Game Information
Matchup: Bradley Braves at Western Illinois Leathernecks
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: 1290 WIRL
Live Stats: Link
What to Watch
Bradley enters the weekday matchup at 2-1 with some of the best performances in the conference. The Braves are averaging 79.7 points per game and shooting .467 from the field, which ranks second in the Valley in both categories. They have also shot .353 from beyond the arc, which is first in the conference. Defensively, Bradley ranks first in the nation in three-point percentage defense at 11.8%. The Braves have allowed the fewest points per game in the conference at 57.3 while ranking first in the MVC in steals per game with 10.33 and second in blocks per game with 4.33.
The Leathernecks have also been dominant in their matchups, posting a 3-0 record to start their season with wins over Westminster College, Northern Illinois, and Chicago State. Western Illinois has been an offensive powerhouse, averaging 90 points per game, which places them first in the Ohio Valley Conference and ranks them among the top 20 offenses in the NCAA. The Leathernecks rank first in the OVC with a .508 field goal percentage and 41.7 total rebounds per game.
Both teams have opened the 2025–26 season strong, and this matchup will likely come down to who controls the pace early and which defense can make timely stops against the other's high-powered offense.
Key Players to Watch
Bradley's offense is led by Kaylen Nelson, who averages 19.3 points per game with a .476 field goal percentage and a .444 three-point percentage. Freshman Maya Foz has been another reliable scoring option at 15.3 points per game. Mya Wardle has been a pest to opponents on the floor, leading the team with six steals while also being a strong offensive presence, pacing the team with 13 assists. She is shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. Claire McDougall has continued to improve in her third year with the Braves. She leads the team with six rebounds per game while shooting 9-for-14 from the field.
Western Illinois is led by Mia Nicastro, who is among the top five players in the NCAA in scoring and top ten in rebounding, averaging 27.3 points per game and 12.0 rebounds per game. Allie Meadows has been the Leathernecks' distance threat, shooting .467 from beyond the arc and averaging 10.7 points per game.
