BOX SCORE
KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan (3-6) snapped a four-game losing streak and kept University of Illinois-Chicago (3-5) winless on the road with a 51-39 victory Saturday at University Arena.
Freshman Ebony Cleary was a force on both ends of the floor, scoring eight points and grabbing a team season-high 14 rebounds ? 10 of those coming on the defensive glass. Sophomore Michelle DeNooyer and Sara Vest each scored nine points off the bench to lead WMU scorers. Shooting 4-for-5 from the floor, and adding a free throw, it was a career-high for Kalamazoo native DeNooyer. Neither team had a player reach double figures.
Western Michigan held Illinois-Chicago to just 17 halftime points, the fewest points scored in a first half this season for the Flames. The Broncos carried their defensive swagger into the second period, holding UIC scoreless for the first six minutes during a 14-4 run to start the second half.
“At halftime we talked about how the first five minutes of the second half would be key in setting the tone for the rest of the game,” WMU head coach Ron Stewart said. “We had to do it defensively, and the players bought into that.”
The deal breaker for the Broncos was their ability to get to and convert from the charity stripe. WMU shot 73 percent (22-for-30) from the free-throw line, while UIC shot just 33 percent (4-for-12). Western Michigan also controlled the boards, grabbing a season-high 52 rebounds, compared to Illinois-Chicago's 41.
“Part of defense is rebounding and we did that tonight,” Stewart added. “Neither team shot the ball very well, but we didn't allow them second and third shots after misses.”
Sophomore Molly Dwyer pitched in a career-high seven rebounds. Junior point guard Tiera DeLaHoussaye had five rebounds, five steals and three assists. The team's leading scorer was held to just two points.
Sophomore Jessie Miller led the Flames with nine points and five rebounds.
The Broncos take on the Temple Owls next Sunday, Dec. 16 at University Arena. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
