KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan was slow to get out of the gates and never fully recovered in a 73-63 loss to Chicago State. It was the first home loss for WMU (2-5) this year and just the second ever in the all-time series against the Cougars. Taylor Manley hit five three's and led Bronco scorers with 19 points.
CSU (2-4) opened the game on a 14-2 run, built a first-half lead as large as 15, and led 37-27 at halftime. Western Michigan came out with more pop in the second half and managed to cut the deficit to one with 10 minutes remaining, but the Broncos were unable to take a lead in the game.
The duo of Manley and Aurielle Anderson was largely responsible for giving WMU a chance in the second half. Manley hit four of her five three's and Anderson scored all of her career-high 10 points after the break.
After giving up the first basket of the second, the Broncos went on a 10-0 run to pull within two, 39-37, at 17:03. Anderson had two steals in the run, one for a layup. Chicago State clung to a five-point lead at 11:52 and Manley hit a pair of three-pointers over the next four Bronco possessions to edge WMU within one with 10 minutes left in the game. Anderson assisted on both shots.
Former Bronco Jazzmyn Harvey hit a three from the corner to spark a 10-0 run by Chicago State at 8:16 and WMU couldn't recover. Manley hit her last three with 1:37 left to cut the lead to five, but CSU rattled off the next five points to seal the win.
Both teams shot just over 41 percent for the game and turned the ball over 20 times. Chicago State out-rebounded WMU, 41-30.
Also reaching double figures for Western Michigan was Brenna Banktson (11 points, six rebounds) and DeAirra Goss (10 points). Ebony Cleary finished with six points and nine rebounds. CSU had five players six-feet or taller that limited Cleary inside.
WMU had a difficult time containing Wisconsin transfer Tressa Beckel, who led Chicago State with a game-high 27 points, also grabbing nine rebounds. Elana Worten posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Western Michigan travels to Cleveland State Friday for a 7 p.m. contest. The Broncos are home again on Friday, Dec. 10, hosting Michigan State.
