ATHENS, Ohio -- The Western Michigan women's basketball team dropped its Mid-American Conference (MAC) opener 73-63 against Ohio at the Convocation Center. The Broncos fall to 8-5 overall and 0-1 in the MAC while the Bobcats, who were picked to win the MAC East and the MAC Tournament in the preseason coaches poll, improve to 9-3 overall and 1-0 in the MAC. WMU led the entire first half taking a 22-12 lead after one quarter and pushing their lead to 12 at one point, but the Bobcats took their first lead of the game in the third quarter at the 4:02 mark and never looked back holding onto the lead throughout.

The Broncos started out hot in the first quarter, as Jessica Jessing and Meredith Shipman combined to score 20 of the team's 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting and 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. WMU held the Bobcats to 4-of-17 shooting in the first quarter and 3-of-11 from beyond the arc. Ohio came into this contest leading the MAC in 3-pointers made. The third quarter was where the Broncos had the most difficulty, as the team commited seven turnovers and shot 4-of-14 from the floor against the tough Bobcat defense.

Jessing finished with her second career double-double leading the team with a career-high 19 points and 12 rebounds and also added three steals and two assists. The trio of Jessing, Shipman and senior Miracle Woods combined to score 52 of the teams 63 points as Shipman had 17, tying a career-high and Woods had 16. Ohio senior Quiera Lampkins had a huge game for the Bobcats, pouring in 33 points on 12-of-22 shooting including 25 points coming in the second half.

As a team, the Broncos shot 45.3-percent from the floor and 39.3-percent from 3-point land, which were both better percentages than the Bobcats (38.8-percent & 20-percent, respectively). Ohio outrebounded the Broncos 39-36 and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds. The Bobcats also finished with 17 steals and forced 23 turnovers.

The Broncos return to action as they play host to Bowling Green on Wednesday, Jan. 6 at University Arena with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Sophomore Teagan Reeves and freshman Breanna Mobley are scheduled to be the games Hometown Heroes.