Illinois State (24-13) faces Marshall (27-9) in the WNIT Championship on Saturday at 2 p.m. CT, seeking their first win in the tournament's history. The Redbirds defeated South Dakota and have shown strong postseason form with standout performances from Doneelah Washington, who is averaging 20.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in the tournament. Marshall set a single-season win record with 27 victories and has a potent offense led by Timaya Lewis Eutsey, who averages 19.8 points per game.

By the Numbers
  • Illinois State has advanced to the WNIT Championship for the first time in program history.
  • Doneelah Washington has recorded five 20-plus point games in the last six games.
Yes, But

While both teams are entering the championship with high momentum, Marshall's record-setting season and scoring depth, with multiple players capable of contributing significantly, could present a strong challenge for Illinois State.

State of Play
  • The Redbirds have shown resilience, coming back from a 10-point deficit in the semifinals for a 59-55 win over Abilene Christian.
  • Marshall dominated their semifinal game against Arkansas State, winning decisively 69-62.
What's Next

The outcome of this championship will not only crown the WNIT champion but may also influence recruitment and team morale heading into next season for both programs.

Bottom Line

With Illinois State's historic run in the WNIT and Washington's unparalleled individual performances, the championship game presents a critical moment that could shape the future of the program while testing their ability to compete against a top-performing Marshall squad.