THE MATCHUP
Western Michigan (10-7, 3-2 MAC)
at Eastern Michigan (7-9, 3-2 MAC)

Series Record – WMU trails, 30-27
Date / Time – Jan. 17, 7 p.m.
Location – Ypsilanti, Mich. (Convocation Center) 
 

BROADCAST INFORMATION
ESPN3
Radio – 1660 AM The Fan, Aaron Coyle
Live Stats – emueagles.com
Twitter Updates - @WMU_WBB

LAST TIME OUT
Western Michigan dropped its first home game of the season on Saturday afternoon as the Broncos fell to Ohio 69-54 and are now 10-7 overall, 3-2 in the Mid-American Conference and 6-1 at home. Trailing by six at half, the Broncos were able to cut the deficit to one early in the third until the Bobcats went on a surge to eventually lead by as many as 22 early in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

Two Broncos scored in double figures including junior Deja Wimby's team-high 11 points to go along with seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Junior teammate Breanna Mobley added 10 points for the Brown and Gold as the forward has now scored in double figures for eight straight games. As a team, WMU shot 42.9 percent from the hardwood but went just 3-of-13 from long range and converted only nine of 16 attempts from the charity stripe.

LOOKING AHEAD
The Broncos hit the road with three of their next four games in unfamiliar territory, starting with Eastern Michigan on Wednesday with Akron (Jan. 24) and MAC West leader Central Michigan (Jan. 27) being the other road games. The lone home game during the four-game stretch is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 20 against Miami for "Daddy/Daughter Day" with tip set for 2 p.m.

BRONCO STARTERS
The Bronco starting five including redshirt senior Marley Hill, junior Breanna Mobley, redshirt junior Jasmyn Walker, freshman Jordan Walker and junior Deja Wimby have started in almost every game this season and have scored a combined 814 points which is good for 69 percent of the WMU offense. Mobley is leading the charge at 15.4 ppg while Wimby is scoring 10.0 ppg to go along with a team-high 82 assists. Hill is averaging 9.8 and has a team-high 20 blocks while Jasmyn Walker is scoring 7.8 ppg. Freshman Walker snuck into the lineup six games into the season, averaging 6.1 ppg and is second on the team in steals (27) and assists (36).

WIMBY'S RETURN TO THE MAC
Since the start of the Mid-American Conference season, junior Deja Wimby has been on a role. In five games, she ranks 15th in scoring (14.4), fifth in assists (4.8), tied for third in steals (2.8), 11th in assist/turnover ratio (1.1) and 12th in defensive rebounds (4.8). In conference games only the Fort Wayne, Ind. native has scored in double figures in all but one game, including a season-high 24-point performance against Northern Illinois.

CREEPING UP ON 1,000
Breanna Mobley has been a scoring machine for the Broncos during her career in a Brown and Gold uniform. In just 80 games played, the junior forward has a total of 975 points for a 12.2 average and looks to become the 26th WMU 1,000 Point Club Member. This year the Lansing, Mich., native has poured in 261 points including a season-high 26 against Rutgers at the Florida Gulf Coast Showcase back on Nov. 25, 2017 and leads the Broncos with 15.4 ppg.

THE MATCHUP
Eastern Michigan leads the all-time series 46-44 with the Broncos, but WMU won both meetings last season. Despite a 24-18 record at home, the Brown and Gold are just 17-25 when playing in Ypsilanti.

EAGLES SCOUTING REPORT
The Eagles, who are coached by Fred Castro in his second year, come in at 7-9 overall and 3-2 in the MAC, holding the No. 10 ranked scoring offense (64.9) and the No. 3 scoring defense (63.7). EMU is coming off a 74-59 victory at Miami and have three players in double figures, including Danielle Minott (12.7), Courtnie Lewis (12.6) and Sasha Dailey (11.5). Emoni Jackson leads the team in rebounds (4.8) while Dailey is the team-leader in steals with 49 this season.