THE MATCHUP
Western Michigan (5-5)
vs. Kentucky State (2-9)
 
Series Record – WMU leads, 1-0
Date / Time – Dec. 15, 7:00 p.m.
Location – Kalamazoo, Mich. (University Arena)
ESPN3 – Mike Monaco & John Nolan
Radio – 1660 AM The Fan, Aaron Coyle
Live Stats – wmustats.com
Twitter Updates - @WMU_WBB
 
SNEAK PEAK AT THE BRONCOS
The Broncos (5-5) continue their four-game home stand on Friday night after defeating Detroit Mercy 74-62 on Friday, Dec. 8 inside University Arena. Western Michigan improved to 2-0 at home with the victory. Three players scored in double figures during the contest, highlighted by redshirt Marley Hill notching her 1,000th career point while junior Breanna Mobley notched her 23rd career double-double pouring in a game-high 21 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass. Junior Deja Wimby posted another strong overall game with 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Following Friday's contest, the Broncos welcome Goshen College on Tuesday, Dec. 19 for their final non-conference game before beginning Mid-American Conference play on Saturday, Dec. 30 against Bowling Green in Kalamazoo, Mich.
 
GAME ADDED TO THE SCHEDULE
Due to the effects of Hurricane Maria the Western Michigan women's basketball team withdrew from the Puerto Rico Classic and announced a game addition, which will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 19 in Kalamazoo, Mich. The Broncos welcome Goshen College inside University Arena at 6:00 p.m. Admission to this game will be free to the public.
 
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
Western Michigan is 45-30 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 five seasons. Clipfell and his squad are also 6-0 in home openers. In 2016-17, the Broncos opened with a 6-1 record at home with the loss coming against No. 21 Michigan State in overtime. WMU finished the home season with a 73-66 win over Miami in the opening round of the MAC Tournament.
 
CHASING 100
In his seventh season overall and sixth with the Broncos, head coach Shane Clipfell is just two games away from notching 100 total wins. He holds an overall record of 98-96 heading into Friday's contest. Western Michigan has been on the rise since Clipfell took over the program prior to the 2012-13 season, as the Broncos have won 17+ games the last three seasons with Clipfell at the reins highlighted by a 20-13 record in 2014-15. WMU is coming off another successful season, notching a 19-13 overall record including an impressive 10-game winning streak during nonconference play. For the first time under Clipfell, the Broncos reached the MAC semifinals during the 2016-17 campaign defeating No. 1 seeded Central Michigan, 67-63.
 
MAC RPI REPORT
As a group, Mid-American Conference women's basketball currently sits seventh in the country in the latest RPI report according to the RpiRatings.com Poll that came out on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Eight total teams represent the conference in the top-100 breakdown as the Broncos rank 82nd behind Buffalo (14), Toledo (29), Ball State (46) and Central Michigan (81). The three remaining teams include Miami, Ohio and Bowling Green.
 
POST UNIT
The frontcourt, also known as the "Post Unit" by the team, has been dominating this season, as Breanna Mobley leads the team at 15.2 points per game and Marley Hill is second at 11.6 per game. The two are also first and second on the team in rebounding, as Mobley leads the way with 8.4 and Hill is at 5.7.
 
BREAKING RECORDS
With the dominating 86-37 performance against Olivet College on Thursday, Nov. 30, the Broncos notched their highest margin of victory and allowed the fewest points in the Shane Clipfell era. The 49-point margin of victory is the third largest in WMU program history and the largest dating back to the 2003-04 season when the Broncos defeated Utah State by 51 points at home under head coach Ron Stewart. The last time a Bronco squad gave up 37 points or fewer occurred during the 2011-12 season under head coach Tasha McDowell as WMU defeated Southeast Missouri State, 67-34.
 
THE MATCHUP
Friday's contest between Western Michigan and Kentucky State will be the second meeting between the two schools. The Broncos defeated the Thorobrettes, 70-45, back on Dec. 2, 2014 in front of 733 fans inside University Arena. Three players scored in double figures that night as Miracle Woods dropped 16 points to go along with eight rebounds while WMU improved to 4-1 overall. 
 
SCOUTING THE THOROBRETTES
Kentucky State, who is coached by second year head coach and WMU grad Terrance Slater, comes into the game 2-9 overall with a 0-4 road record. The Thorobrettes have three Michigan natives on the roster including junior point guard Sierra James and junior guard Ka-Leah Ryan who both attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The team is led by Brittani Rizzi who scores 13.0 points per game and Erica Jones' 7.5 rebounds per game. As a team the Thorobrettes are getting outscored 70-59 this season while shooting 38.2 from the field.