Box Score TRUJILLO ALTO, Puerto Rico- Western Michigan trailed by two at the half and even led No. 8/9 Mississippi State by seven in the second quarter, but a strong second half by the Bulldogs ended in a 90-68 WMU loss at the Puerto Rico Classic Sunday.

The Broncos play their final game in Puerto Rico tomorrow, facing Florida Gulf Coast at 11 a.m. ET.

The result dropped Western Michigan's record to 7-3 on the season. Mississippi State improved to 9-1. All three Bronco losses have been to top 25 opponents as the Brown & Gold fell to No. 24 ranked Michigan State and No. 20 Northwestern on the road earlier in the year.

The Broncos had an answer for everything Mississippi State threw at them in the first half and played with a level of elevated confidence that was evident. Mississippi State led by just two at the end of the first quarter, 25-23, and after an even second quarter, 40-38 heading into halftime.

“I think this game said a lot,” said WMU head coach Shane Clipfell. “Obviously our team is disappointed the way this one ended and the final score doesn't really tell the story. I think we can see that there is a look in our eyes that we believe and the more we get comfortable, we'll have a really good team.”

A silky pass by fifth-year transfer Deborah Meeks to Jessica Jessing for a fast break bucket early in the game made it apparent Western Michigan came ready to play. With 5:17 to go in the second quarter, Meredith Shipman skipped a long pass to LaTondra Brooks who found Miracle Woods alone for another layup on the break that gave WMU a 31-29 lead. That started a 7-0 run for the Broncos, which included a three-pointer by Shipman to give WMU a 36-29 advantage with 3:36 left before the half.

Mississippi State countered with its first of two big runs in the game, outscoring WMU 11-2 the rest of the half to lead by two (40-38) at the break.

The game remained close until midway through the third quarter and a jumper by Woods kept WMU within three, 49-46 with 5:18 left in the quarter. The next five minutes changed the landscape of the game however, as Western Michigan's offense went dormant and Mississippi State was able convert several offensive putbacks. The Bulldogs went on an 18-3 run and suddenly WMU entered the fourth quarter trailing by 18, 67-49.

MSU 6-7 freshman post Tearia McCowan proved to be a difficult match up for Western Michigan. McCowan was only really contained when she was on the bench with foul trouble and finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, both which were game highs.

Rebounding and second-chance points were also keys to the game. WMU had just one less rebound than MSU at the half, but was outrebounded by 14 in the second half, including by 10 on the offensive end. The Bulldogs outscored the Broncos 25-2 on second chance points in the game.

“An obvious difference between the first half and the second half was the rebounding,” Clipfell said. “I think it was a one-rebound game, 17-18, at halftime and then the second half they just dominated us on the boards. That 6-7 kid was a load for us to handle. Even when we were between her and the ball she could go up and get it.

“There was a stretch between the third and fourth quarters that we struggled on the offensive of the ball and that led to our demise. That doesn't take away from our effort though or our ability to run with that team for the first 25 minutes of the game.”

Western Michigan shot a season-high 36 free throws and made 29 (80.6 %). The Broncos shot 42.9 percent from the field, slightly lower than Mississippi State at 43.6 percent.

Junior Meredith Shipman scored a career-high 17 points to lead Western Michigan. She also grabbed six rebounds and had two assists and a block. Sophomore Teagan Reeves totaled 11 points and three rebounds. Woods finished with seven points and making her first career start at Western Michigan, Meeks had six points and four rebounds.