Box Score KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan women's basketball team posted the program's largest victory ever over Bowling Green, defeating the visiting Falcons by 30 points, 82-52, Wednesday at University Arena. With the win, WMU improves its record to 11-6 overall and 4-2 in the Mid-American Conference.
Western Michigan did about everything right against last year's MAC regular season champion, out-shooting, out-rebounding and committing less turnovers than the Falcons.
The last time the Broncos recorded a 30-point plus MAC victory was in 2006 when WMU defeated Buffalo 86-42. WMU hadn't beat Bowling Green by more than 22 points since 1977, which came under legendary coach Fran Ebert. BGSU has been known as the premier program in the MAC for over a decade, posting 11-straight seasons of 20-plus wins and more conference titles than any other team.
A Western Michigan win over Bowling Green isn't a new occurrence in University Arena however, as the Broncos have now won three-straight against their MAC East opponent in Kalamazoo. WMU also picked up victories on its home floor in 2013 and 2011. The matchup alternates sites between Kalamazoo and Bowling Green year-to-year.
Western Michigan shot a blazing 54.8 percent for the game including 59.4 percent in the second half. The Broncos scored more points in the second half (47) against Bowling Green than they did in their entire game on Saturday, a 65-46 loss to Toledo.
WMU dominated down low, out-rebounding BGSU 44-19, and outscoring the Falcons 28-2 in second chance points and 46-18 in the paint. Bronco junior
Miracle Woods had more offensive rebounds alone than Bowling Green's entire team, grabbing eight while the Falcons had five collectively (two of which were offensive team rebounds).
Woods capped her night with her second consecutive double-double, totaling 19 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks. She shot 8-for-12 from the field and 3-for-3 from the free throw line.
All three Bronco bigs finished in double figures scoring. Junior post
Jessica Jessing recorded 11 points and eight rebounds and senior forward
Marquisha Harris had 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.
The hot outside shooting of
A.J. Johnson helped stretch the defense, as the senior guard downed three 3-pointers and had 15 points. Johnson also contributed three assists and three steals.
Western Michigan had just nine turnovers, its second lowest total of the year.
WMU led by six (35-29) at intermission and held BGSU (8-9, 1-5 MAC) to 29.2 percent shooting in the second half.
BGSU freshman guard Rachel Myers scored 21 of her team's 52 points and three other Falcons scored seven points apiece.
Western heads to Kent State Saturday for a 2 p.m. tip-off in Ohio. The Golden Flashes (3-13, 1-4 MAC) had a mid-week bye and did not play Wednesday.
