Box Score TRUJILLO ALTO, Puerto Rico- The Western Michigan women's basketball team posted a convincing 71-44 victory over Gardner-Webb to kick off the first of three games over three days at the Puerto Rico Classic. The Broncos face No. 8/9 Mississippi State tomorrow at 1:15 ET and close out the classic against Florida Gulf Coast on Monday at 11 a.m. ET.

Western Michigan put forth one of its best defensive efforts in recent history, holding a very talented Gardner-Webb team to just 3-for-25 (12%) shooting in the first half. The offense meanwhile raced out to a 12-0 lead and WMU led 38-15 at halftime, outscoring the Bulldogs 20-8 in the first quarter and 18-7 in the second.

The Broncos forced Gardner-Webb into 13 first-half turnovers and had nine more rebounds (26-17) at the half. Outside of the three field goals, Gardner-Webb's scoring came at the free throw line, where the team shot 9-for-10.

Gardner-Webb entered the game with a 6-2 record. Earlier in the year the Bulldogs upset a then-ranked No. 20 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, 66-65.

“One of the biggest compliments I have been given was from that (Gardner-Webb's) coaching staff,” said WMU head coach Shane Clipfell. “The head coach said to me 'Sorry we didn't give you a better game, but you guys defended your tails off.' I think that right there was the game in a nutshell.

“I thought we talked better than we ever have, we moved better than we ever have and we made decisions better than we ever have. That is a great recipe for defense.

“Sometimes when you go on these trips like Puerto Rico where there are a lot of extra (and worthwhile) experiences, there is always the worry about focus. And give all the credit to our team. It was totally their initiative and want-to in this win today.”

The win was Western Michigan's fifth in a row and improved the Broncos' season record to 7-2, equaling the program's best nine-game start since the 1998-99 season. The five-game winning streak is the longest since for WMU since rattling off six-straight victories during Mid-American Conference play in 2008.

Senior Miracle Woods entered the game needing one rebound to reach 600 and recorded it shortly after checking in off the bench in the first quarter. She finished with eight rebounds, a career-high five assists and two points. Woods becomes just the second player in school history to total over 1,000 career points, 600 rebounds and 100-plus career blocks, joining WMU Hall of Famer and former assistant coach Kristin (Koetsier) McNally.

After a delay in the transfer process, fifth-year senior Deborah Meeks made her first career appearance as a Bronco. She totaled 10 points, three rebounds and three steals in her Western Michigan debut.

Sophomore Teagan Reeves and senior Jessica Jessing tied for a game-high 15 points. Reeves also had seven rebounds while Jessing had five.

Freshman Breanna Mobley paced WMU with 10 first half points and shot 5-for-6 for the game. Junior Meredith Shipman dished out a career-high seven assists and had three steals.

Western Michigan shot 45.3 percent from the floor and set team season highs for assists (20) and steals (14). The Broncos held a 48-34 advantage on rebounding and outscored GW in the paint, 40-20.

Gardner-Webb finished with a 23.6 shooting percentage. The Bulldogs totaled 18 of their 44 points at the free throw line and made just 13 field goals.


GAME NOTES: Today's game was the first ever Western Michigan women's basketball game in Puerto Rico ... 44 points was the fewest points allowed by WMU this season, one better than holding Loyola-Chicago to 45 on Dec. 2 ... it was the largest margin of victory (+27) ... 23.6% was the lowest FG% WMU has held an opponent to this season ... Broncos forced a season-high 24 turnovers ... WMU will be looking to match the best 10-game start (8-2) since the 1993-94 season tomorrow against Miss. State  ... Meredith Shipman and senior Alex Morton each tied a career-high with three steals apiece ... it was the lowest scoring half (15) and lowest scoring game (44) for Gardner-Webb - previous overall low total was 59 ... WMU's next opponent, Mississippi State defeated FCGU in its first game in Puerto Rico, 65-60.