Western Michigan Broncos (13-3, 4-1 MAC)
vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (8-9, 2-3 MAC)
Jan. 18, 2017, 7 p.m., Kalamazoo, Mich. (University Arena)

TV - ESPN3
Radio - 1660 AM The Fan with Garrison Diehl
Live Stats - wmu.statbroadcast.com
Twitter - @WMU_WBB

ON FIRE
The Broncos have won 12 of their last 13 games, including a  10-game winning streak that was snapped two games ago at Ball State. It was  the Broncos' longest winning streak (10 games) since the 1986-87 season. WMU's other two defeats were against Big Ten teams, falling to then No. 21 ranked Michigan State in overtime on Nov. 18 and on the road at Michigan three days later. With the hot start to the season, the Broncos have made their way into the College Insider Mid-Major Top-25 poll, where they are currently receiving votes. 

HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
Western Michigan is 40-22 when playing at University Arena under head coach Shane Clipfell, including an impressive 12-2 record in the 2014-15 season. Clipfell's team has never finished with a below .500 home record in four seasons. In 2015-16, the Broncos opened with a perfect 7-0 record at home and finished the home season with a 94-52  win over Northern Illinois in the opening round of the MAC Tournament, the largest win in the MAC Tournament in school history. The Broncos are 6-1 at home this season, with the only loss coming in overtime to No. 21 Michigan State.

TEAM MAC RANKINGS
As a team, WMU can be found in the top-5 in many statistical categories during MAC play. Those categores include scoring offense (5th), scoring defense (2nd), scoring margin (2nd), free-throw percentage (5th), field-goal percentage (4th), field-goal percentage defense (4th), 3-point field goal defense (4th), rebounding offense (4th) and defense (3rd), rebounding margin (3rd), blocks (T-1st), assists (4th), turnover margin (3rd) and assist/turnover ratio (1st). 

INDIVIDUAL MAC RANKINGS
Individually, the Broncos boast three familiar names that can be found throughout the top-15 of statistical categories in the MAC. Sophomore Breanna Mobley leads the conference in rebounding (14.2), is 12th in scoring (16.0) and third in field goal percentage (.579). Redshirt junior Marley Hill is eighth in scoring (17.0) and third in blocks (2.0) and sophomore Deja Wimby is 11th in scoring (16.2), sixth in assists (5.0) and third in steals (3.0).  

THE MATCHUP
The Broncos and Golden Flashes first met in 1980, with this being the 56th meeting between the two. Although Kent State leads the all-time series 30-25, the Broncos have owned the recent history, winning four of the last five meetings including both games last season. WMU is 15-13 in Kalamazoo against Kent State.

GOLDEN FLASHES SCOUTING REPORT
Kent State, who is coached by first year head coach Todd Starkey, enters this game 8-9 overall, 2-3 in the MAC and is coming off a huge win over preseason MAC East favorite Ohio on the road. The team is led by Larissa Lurken, who is the MAC's overall leading scorer at 22.5 per game. She also leads the conference in free throws made (133) by a huge margin, nearly double what the next player has. Jordan Korinek averages 14.2 points per game for the Golden Flashes, who rank fourth in scoring offense (75.2) and 11th in scoring defense (78.4) in MAC play.