THE MATCHUP
Western Michigan (0-0, 0-0 MAC)
vs. New Mexico (0-0, 0-0 MW)
Series Record: UNM leads, 1-0
Nov. 10, 9 p.m. (EST), Albuquerque, N.M. (Dreamstyle Arena)
 
Listen Live - golobos.com/watch
Live Stats - wmustats.com
Twitter Updates - @WMU_WBB
 
2016-17 RECAP
Last season the Broncos finished 19-13 overall and 8-10 in the Mid-American Conference, including an impressive 10-game winning streak in the non-conference season. The overall record falls just two victories shy of tying the school record for wins (21) set in 1978 and is the third straight winning season for the Broncos. The win streak is also the fourth longest winning streak the program has ever seen and longest in the last 20 years.

WMU advanced to the MAC Semifinals for the first time since the 2003 season after erasing a six-point deficit with 1:20 left to play, defeating top seed Central Michigan, 67-63, in the quarterfinals. Meredith Shipman and Breanna Mobley were each named Third Team All-MAC and Deja Wimby was named to the All-MAC Defensive Team.

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 are transfer students Jillian Fletcher (West Virginia State) and Jasmyn Walker (Valparaiso), who both 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.

2017-18 SCHEDULE
The Western Michigan women's basketball team begins the season on a difficult six-game road stretch starting at New Mexico (11/10) followed by the No. 14 Mid-Major ranked New Mexico State (11/12), Loyola-Chicago (11/15), Iowa (11/19) and concluding the trip at the Florida Gulf Coast Showcase. The Broncos will no longer be participating in the Puerto Rico Classic due to the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and begin MAC play hosting Bowling Green on Saturday, Dec. 30. The conference schedule features the normal 18-game lineup, with nine home games and nine away games.

DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Junior Breanna Mobley was almost unstoppable during the 2016-17 season, where she nearly averaged a double-double on 14.4 points and 9.9 rebounds. She recorded a total of 13 double-doubles during the season and scored in double figures in 23 games. She made a huge impact on the conference, leading the MAC and tied for ninth in the nation in offensive rebounding (4.4), 15th in scoring, second in overall rebounding and third in field-goal percentage (.569).

THE MATCHUP
The only time these two teams have faced each other was back on November 9, 2007 at the Women's Sport Foundation Challenge. The 2007 NCAA Tournament participant New Mexico proved to be too much for the Broncos, as the Brown & Gold fell, 85-62, in their season-opener. Preseason All-MAC selection Tiera DeLaHoussaye led WMU with 10 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
 
NEW MEXICO SCOUTING REPORT
The Lobos finished 15-15 overall and 10-8 in the Mountain West, good for a fifth place finish in the league. UNM returns All-Mountain West and Mount West All-Defensive Team member Cherise Beynon who averaged 15.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.9 steals. Along with Beynon, UNM returns fellow starters Alex Lapeyrolerie (11.4 ppg) and All-Mountain West Freshman team member Mykiel Burleson (9.7 points). The Lobos are coached by Mike Bradbury, a Chattanooga graduate in his second season with New Mexico. Prior to New Mexico, Bradbury spent six years at Wright State where he posted the highest winning percentage in school history, leading WSU to its first-ever NCAA appearance in 2014.