Northern Illinois University women’s basketball head coach Lisa Carlsen announced on Monday the addition of transfers Reagan Barkema (Story City, Iowa/Bradley) and Alecia Doyle (Carterville, Ill./SEMO) for the 2024-25 season. Both student-athletes will have two years of eligibility.
Barkema, a 6’0” forward, has played at Bradley the last two seasons. As a sophomore, Barkema averaged 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while starting 25 of 30 games played for the Braves. She scored a career-high 15 points at Illinois State on Dec. 30, 2023 on a career-high five three-pointers. Barkema made 75 threes in 62 career games at Bradley and shot 33.0 percent from long range.
She earned All-State honors in each of her four seasons at Roland-Story High School, helping guide Roland-Story to the Iowa state tournament three times. She was a First Team All-State selection as a senior after averaging 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
“Reagan adds needed depth to our forward group,” Carlsen said. “She is a stretch-four who has the ability to be really effective beyond the arc. She will be a great fit for us as far as style of play because she is versatile and loves to run and shoot. Reagan comes from a great family who is very supportive of her collegiate journey.”
Doyle, a 5’8” guard, comes to NIU after two seasons at Southeast Missouri State. She started all 29 games this past season, leading the Redhawks in scoring at 13.4 points per game. Doyle was named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference Second Team in the postseason after more than doubling her scoring from her freshman season where she averaged 6.0 points per game in 28 games.
A four-year starter and letterwinner at Carterville High School, Doyle helped the Lions to a third-place finish in the IHSA Class 2A tournament in 2020. As a junior Doyle was named the Southern Illinoisan Player of the Year and an AP and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association First Team All-State selection after averaging 20.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
“Alecia is a proven three-level scorer and a tenacious defender,” said Carlsen. “I love the skillset she brings to an already talented backcourt. She brings a high level of competitiveness and passion. Alecia comes from a great family who support her and understands what it takes to win. I’m excited to have her join our team and get to work with this group.”
Barkema and Doyle join Makenzie Brass (Shorewood, Ill./Minooka), Lexi Carlsen (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) and Julia “Bubba” Sollberger (Peoria, Ill./Dunlap) as newcomers for the 2024-25 season.