BOX SCORE
KALAMAZOO- Western Michigan (3-12, 0-1) opened up Mid-American Conference play Wednesday night with a battle against preseason favorite and reigning MAC West champion Ball State (5-9, 1-0). The Broncos got off to a hot start, going on an early 12-2 run after an NBA range three-pointer from freshman Maria Iaquaniello, but were out matched in the second half, falling 84-70.
The Cardinals went on a 9-2 run of their own narrowing the lead to three, 14-11, midway through the first half. With five seconds left in the first half, Ball State's Porchia Green, who finished with a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists, took the inbound pass and drove hard to the basket to draw a foul. Green converted on the free throw, completing the three-point play. The lay-up cut the Bronco's once 10-point lead to just one, 31-30, at halftime.
BSU took it's first lead of the game, 49-48, after Kiley Jarrett hit one of her five three-pointers on the night, which sparked a 20-2 run with eight minutes left in the game, making it 70-54 in favor of the Cardinals. Jarrett finished with 19 points, only to be outscored by her own teammate, Emily Maggert, who ended with a game-high 24 points.
Amanda Parker led Western Michigan with 18 points and added four rebounds in the losing effort, while Tiera DeLaHoussaye chipped in with 14 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. When all was said and done, the Broncos had four players score in double digits, with Ebony Cleary and Sarah Dreher tossing in 10 and 11 points, respectively.
The Broncos take to the hardwood Saturday, Jan. 12, facing in-state rival Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
