Overall Statistics
Box Score
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - Western Michigan University senior guard duo Casey Rost who scored a game-high 22 points and classmate Maria Jilian who tied her career-high with a 20-point showing earned the Broncos a (64-54) victory at in-state Mid-American Conference rival Central Michigan on Tuesday night in Rose Arena.
The win over the Chippewas (14-9, 5-7 MAC) marks the Broncos (12-11, 9-3 MAC) fifth straight in league play and 11th straight over CMU.
WMU had 13 steals on the night with nine of those coming in the first half alone. Jilian led the team with four.
Jilian after her performance is now just nine points shy of becoming the 19th player in Bronco women's basketball history to reach 1,000 points a feat she has accomplished after only playing in 14 games this season.
Jilian's 3-pointer at the 15:46 mark in the first half sparked an 8-0 run for the Brown & Gold that put them up (14-4) with just over 14 minutes left in the half. CMU chipped away at the Broncos lead eventually tying the game for the first time since the opening minutes at 23-23 at the 7:27 mark.
At the other end of the court Rost hit two free throws to take back the lead. WMU continued to stay in control eventually ending the half with a lead of (31-27).
WMU started off cold in the second half allowing the Chippewas to take their first lead of the game (37-36) at the 16:15 mark after a 3-pointer from CMU's Erin Kuhl.
The Chippewas continued to lead with only 9:53 to play but the Broncos had a turning point after a key rebound from junior Nicole Watkins who got the ball to Rost for a 3-point basket.
Another forced Chippewa turnover sent Rost back to the 3-point line for another bucket that gave the Broncos the push they needed to take back the lead with just under six minutes on the clock.
Junior Carrie Moore's 3-point play after a lay-up and free throw put WMU back up by four (51-47) at the five minute mark and another basket from classmate Ashley Owens allowed the Broncos to go ahead by six.
Free throws by Rost and Jilian sealed the victory for the Broncos.
WMU continues its two-game MAC road swing when it travels to Ball State on Feb. 18. The game is slated for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off in Worthen Arena.
