YPSILANTI, Mich.- No. 9 Western Michigan defeated No. 8 Eastern Michigan, 80-72, to advance to the second round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, making the program's first appearance in Cleveland since 2008.

"We weren't invited to this dance, but we are going to crash it," said Western Michigan head coach Shane Clipfell, who became the first Bronco women's basketball coach to lead WMU to a MAC Tournament win in his first season.

Moments before the tip-off, Clipfell told his team in his pre-game speech, "Don't be refused."

"That basically has been a team motto we have adopted the last week, as well as 'One More," Clipfell said. "One more good play, one more made basket, one more positive good box out ..."

Clipfell's team bought in Saturday at Eastern Michigan and as a result, the Broncos (11-19) will have one more game, this one a MAC Tournament game in Cleveland, an experience which will be a first for all of the current members of the Bronco squad.

"It was fun to watch. I am a little frustrated we gave up 46 in the second half, but we did what we needed to do. I am the happiest guy on the planet right now, and that team is probably the happiest team on the planet right now," Clipfell added.

Freshman Miracle Woods and sophomore Julia Henson gave WMU a one-two, inside-outside punch.

Woods was an unstoppable force down low, scoring a career-high 29 points and recorded her fourth double-double of the season, also pulling down 10 rebounds. Woods had totaled just seven points combined in the previous two meetings with EMU this season.

Making her third-straight start, Henson tied career highs with seven three-pointers and 21 points. It was the second time in her career Henson has hit seven triples, which is one shy of Curletta Harris' school record of eight.

Junior Corie Buchanan also had a big day for the Broncos, totaling 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

The win snapped a nine-game losing streak against the Eagles and was the first victory for Western Michigan over its in-state rival since Jan. 21, 2009. WMU is now 2-0 all-time against EMU in the MAC Tournament.

The Broncos will face No. 5 seeded Bowling Green Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Bowling Green defeated No. 12 Kent State in its first round game Saturday. WMU took the regular season meeting against the Falcons, 55-54, Feb. 10, in Kalamazoo.

Head Coach Shane Clipfell Raising the Standards:
First head coach to win first game (WMU defeated American, Nov. 10, 57-53)
First to win a MAC Tournament game in first year
Has most wins (11) and MAC wins (6) by first-year head coach at WMU