THE MATCHUP
Western Michigan (1-1)
vs. Loyola (0-1)
 
Series Record: WMU leads, 5-2
Nov. 15, 8 p.m. (ET), Chicago, Ill. (Gentile Arena)
Watch Live – ESPN3
Listen – 1660 AM The Fan, Mike Monaco
Live Stats – wmstats.com
Twitter Updates - @WMU_WBB
 
ROAD WARRIORS
The Broncos (1-1), who have played both games in New Mexico, will head to Chicago, Ill., continuing their six-game road trip this season. Western Michigan lost its first season opener under head coach Shane Clipfell in a hostile environment at New Mexico before defeating WAC powerhouse New Mexico State. In the latest game against the Aggies, redshirt senior Marley Hill recorded her third double-double in a Broncos uniform to help seal the 64-55 victory. The Broncos conclude the road stand at Iowa on Sunday, Nov. 18 before competing in the Florida Gulf Coast Showcase.
 
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Backed by double-doubles from junior Breanna Mobley and redshirt senior Marley Hill, Western Michigan picked up its first win of the season on Sunday afternoon after defeating New Mexico State. Hill recorded her third career double-double off a game-high 20 points and a career-high 12 rebounds while Mobley notched her 20th career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. In just two games of the early season, together the two average 28.5 points and 19.5 rebounds.
 
GUARD 'EM ON THE OUTSIDE
As a whole, the Western Michigan post unit including redshirt senior Marley Hill, freshman Leighah-Amori Wool and sophomore Emma VanZanten shot 60 percent (3-for-5) from outside the arc at New Mexico State. Hill scored 11 of her 20 points in the fourth including a crucial three down the stretch to help seal the Bronco victory while Wool and VanZanten tallied their first career three-pointer.
 
WELCOME TO THE TEAM
Four players made impacts in their first two games for Western Michigan in New Mexico. Freshman Jordan Walker poured in 18 points while her sister, redshirt junior Jasmyn Walker, added 17 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and four blocks. Freshmen Kia Brooks (4 points) and Leighah-Amore Wool (7 points) have also scored points in their early Bronco careers. These players also contributed on the defensive side, recording five of the eight total Bronco steals at New Mexico.
 
THE MATCHUP
The Broncos own the all-time series (5-2) with the Ramblers including a 2-1 record at Gentile Arena. The last meeting was Dec. 3, 2016 in Kalamazoo where WMU won 65-53. Breanna Mobley recorded a double-double and a career-high 16 rebounds, 10 of which came on the offensive glass, to lead the Brown & Gold.
 
RAMBLERS SCOUTING REPORT
The Ramblers are coming off their season opening loss at Fort Wayne this past Sunday, falling short 79-70. Freshmen led the way as Kailyn Strawbridge led all scorers in the contest with 32 points while Ellie Rice notched 20 points. Loyola returns six letterwinners from last season, including three of the team's four leading scorers. The Ramblers are coached by Kate Achter, who is in her second year at the helm. Achter is no stranger to the Mid-American Conference as she was a crucial part of the Falcons capturing four straight Mid-American Conference titles. The All-American graduated in 2008 and finished her career ranked fifth on the school's all-time scoring list (1,580).
 
WHO'S RETURNING
The Broncos return 11 letterwinners including three full-time starters in redshirt senior Marley Hill, and juniors Breanna Mobley and Deja Wimby. Mobley led the Broncos last season averaging 14.4 points and 9.9 rebounds and was honored to the Third Team All-MAC and the All-MAC Defensive Team. Wimby is coming off a tremendous season averaging 11.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists. The guard was also named to the All-MAC Defensive Team. Hill started in all 32 games, averaging 13.7 points and 5.6 rebounds while leading the team with 34 blocks.
 
WMU brings back five players that started at least one game last season with senior Najee Smith (18), senior LaTondra Brooks (10), junior Meredith Miller (2), junior Aneisha Carlisle (2) and junior Logan McCane (2). Expected to make an impact this season is transfer student Jasmyn Walker (Valparaiso), who redshirted last season due to NCAA transfer rules.
 
NEWCOMERS
A total of four freshmen will hit the court for the Broncos this season, including Kia Brooks (Chicago, Ill. / North Lawndale), Nina Farkic (Kitchener, Ont. / Cameron Heights), Jordan Walker (Muskegon, Mich. / Mona Shores) and Leighah-Amori Wool (Evanston, Ill. / Evanston). Brooks finished her high school career as a two-time all-conference selection while Farkic was named WCSSAA First Team All-Star. Walker was named Michigan Miss Basketball after averaging 22.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists, shooting 43 percent from the floor during her senior campaign. Wool was an all-state selection and a two-time CSL South All-Conference selection while being named an ESPN Top-100 Midwest Player.