THE MATCHUP
Western Michigan (12-9, 5-4 MAC)
vs. Toledo (14-7, 5-4 MAC)
 
Series Record – WMU trails, 21-55
Date / Time – Jan. 31, 7 p.m.
Location – Kalamazoo, Mich. (University Arena)
 

 
BROADCAST INFORMATION
ESPN3 – Mike Monaco (PBP) & Angelique Gaddy (Color)
Radio – 1660 AM The Fan, Aaron Coyle
Live Stats – wmustats.com
Twitter Updates - @WMU_WBB
 
PURCHASE
Online – wmubroncos.com/tickets
Person – Bronco Ticket Office
Phone – 1-888-4-WMU-TIX
 
THE MATCHUP
The Broncos and Rockets first met in 1981, with this being the 77th meeting between the two. Toledo leads the all-time series 55-21 and has dominated the recent history, winning the last seven meetings and 19 of the last 23 dating back to 2007. The Broncos winning percentage at home versus away is much higher against the Rockets, but Toledo still holds a 22-12 record when playing inside University Arena in Kalamazoo.
 
BRONCOS FALL LATE IN MOUNT PLEASANT
Last time out at MAC West leader Central Michigan, the Broncos led in almost every statistical category but the Chippewas used a 14-3 run in the final three minutes to seal a 74-70 victory. Western Michigan outrebounded CMU 36-23 and allowed just five offensive rebounds while capitalizing on 32 points in the paint. As a team, WMU shot 48.3 percent from the hardwood (25-of-58) including a season-high 57.1 rate from three-point territory but the big difference was the free throws as the Chips shot 30 compared to a mere seven attempts for the Broncos. Junior Breanna Mobley led WMU with 15 points and eight rebounds.
 
CATCH UP ON THE BROWN & GOLD
The Broncos have the sixth ranked scoring offense in the MAC, averaging 69.3 points per game, and sit second overall in the league in scoring defense with 64.1. At home this season, the Broncos have been stellar with a record of 7-1 averaging 78.0 points per game compared to just 63.4 on the road and a 4-6 record in unfamiliar territory. WMU has three players average in double figures with Breanna Mobley leading the way with 15.9 points per game to go along with 8.5 rebounds followed by Deja Wimby with 10.4 and redshirt senior Marley Hill adding 9.6.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
Tonight's contest is one of three of the next four games in Kalamazoo for the Broncos. Western Michigan welcomes Akron on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. before making a quick trip to Bowling Green on Feb. 7. The Brown and Gold will return home on Saturday, Feb. 10, welcoming Ball State for its annual Play 4Kay Pink Game.
 
HOME COURT ADVANTAGE
Western Michigan is 50-27 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 season. Clipfell and his squad are also 6-0 in home openers. The Broncos opened the season with a perfect 6-0 home record and are 7-1 heading into tonight. At home, WMU outscores its opponents by +19.9 and holds a higher field goal percentage, three-point percentage, free-throw percentage, assist-turnover ratio and averages more rebounds, blocks and steals. 
 
STAT SHEET STUFFER
After nearly missing out on WMU's first triple-double in program history at Akron, junior Deja Wimby has done a little bit of everything for the Broncos this season. The guard is second in scoring (10.4), third in rebounding (5.2) and leads the team in assists (5.5) and steals (2.4). She's had nine games of at least five rebounds/five assists and has scored in double figures in five of the last seven games.
 
QUEEN OF CONSISTENCY
The newest WMU 1,000 Point Club Member Breanna Mobley has scored in double figures in all but three games this season as she leads the team in scoring (15.9 ppg), free-throw percentage (.778), field-goal percentage (.563), free throws made (91) and field goals (121). She has been doing it on the defensive end too, where she leads the team in rebounds (8.5) while placing second in blocks (15). The junior has made her mark around the country as well, ranking 24th in offensive rebounds per game (4.0) and 32nd in field-goal percentage (.565) and free throws made (91). 
 
ROCKETS SCOUTING REPORT
The 2017 MAC Tournament champions Toledo are coached by 10th year head coach Tricia Cullop and enter the game 14-7 overall with an identical MAC record as WMU at 5-4. Both the Rockets and the Broncos currently stand in a three-way tie for second place in the west division along with the Eagles of Eastern Michigan.  Toledo has won four of its last six and are coming off a 77-67 victory in Bowling Green and are led by junior Kaayla McIntyre who is 11th in the conference in scoring with 14.6 ppg and seventh in rebounding at 8.0 rpg. As a team, the Rockets are 4-5 on the road and own eighth position in the league in scoring offense (66.6) and their 64.8 scoring defense places them in third.