KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan women's basketball team defeated visiting North Dakota State Wednesday night, 74-59, at University Arena. The Broncos are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2002-03 after opening the season with a 63-41 win over UMass on Nov. 14.

Western Michigan never trailed against North Dakota State and built a 15-point advantage in the first half, 39-24. Junior forward Jessica Jessing was the driving force in the first 20 minutes, scoring 13 of her game and career-high 15 points, as well as grabbing four of her five rebounds in the opening period.

After missing the opener against UMass, junior post Miracle Woods made her season debut and gave the Broncos a different look with a more physical style down low in the second half. Woods ended the game with nine points and three rebounds.

“I thought offensively we did a good job spreading them out,” said WMU head coach Shane Clipfell. “I think you saw a lot of the diversity this team has tonight, we can go with a power game with Teagan (Reeves) and Miracle (Woods) in the post together and we can bring in OB (Michelle O'Brien) and JJ (Jessica Jessing) and try to spread teams out a little bit.”

After building the big lead in the first half, WMU went to its reserves for extended playing time in the second half. As the team adjusted to playing with different lineups, the Bronco defense didn't carry quite the same tenacity as in the first half. NDSU and Western Michigan each scored 35 points in the second half.

“Probably the biggest negative tonight was our defense in transition," Clipfell said. "We just need to put more effort in it, we need to clean that up because I don't want it to be our crutch this year I want it to be strength."

Offensively, Western Michigan had no trouble finding scorers. In addition to Jessing, three other players reached double figures.

Reeves checked out with 11 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while O'Brien and Alex Morton each scored 10 points. O'Brien also grabbed six rebounds, while Morton dished out four of the team's 10 assists.

The Broncos shot 43.1 percent for the game, however were just 4-for-15 (26.7%) from behind the arc. NDSU shot 38.3 percent and committed 24 turnovers, 10 more than WMU.

Western Michigan heads to Ann Arbor Sunday, Nov. 23, for its first road test of the season, taking on Michigan at 2 p.m.

FULL COURT PRESS BUS TRIP to MICHIGAN GAME - Nov. 23
Cost is $35, includes bus ride, game ticket & box lunch
Bus Departs Kalamazoo (Read Fieldhouse) 11:30 AM
Tip-off in Ann Arbor 2 PM
For more info / register - e-mail: wmufullcourtpress@gmail.com
or call/text: Lauri Yarger (269) 998-1340 or Mike Holton (616) 365-9411