KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team had its lowest defensive output since the 1980-81 season as the Broncos defeated Fort Wayne 61-35 in nonconference action Tuesday night at University Arena. WMU defeated McMaster University in the Hurricane Classic 90-33 in the team's seventh game of the 1980-81 season.
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WMU improved to 6-2 with the win and also pushed the team's winning streak to five games, which ties head coach Shane Clipfell's highest winning streak in his career.
The Bronco defense was relentless, holding the Mastodons to 23.2-percent (13-of-56) from the floor and not allowing a 3-pointer in the game (0-for-13). The Broncos also set a season-high in blocks with eight, as redshirt junior Marley Hill had five herself, setting a new career-high.
It was a slow start for both offenses, as Fort Wayne led 8-6 after the first quarter. The Broncos took an 11-10 lead early in the second quarter and never trailed again. WMU went on a 9-0 run to end the first half, went on a 11-0 run late in the third quarter and used a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter to blow the game open. The big quarter for WMU was the second, where they outscored the Mastodons 21-7 and took a 27-15 lead into the half.
The Broncos were led by Hill, who finished with 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting and a perfect 6-for-6 from the line. She also tied for the team lead in rebounds in senior Meredith Shipman at seven and finished with a career-high five blocks. Sophomore Deja Wimby tied a career-high with 12 points and also added five assists and five rebounds to go along with three steals. Junior Alexis Parks and sophomore Meredith Miller each scored eight while freshman Kamrin Reed set a new career-high with seven points and connected on a pair of 3-pointers, which was also a career-high.
The Broncos were outrebounded 37-36 as the Mastodons had 15 offensive rebounds to the Broncos eight. WMU dominated the paint however, finishing with 34 points in the paint while Fort Wayne had 14. The Brown & Gold also converted 24 points off Fort Wayne's 22 turnovers.
De'Jour Young led Fort Wayne in points (9), rebounds (7) and tied with four others for the lead in assists (1).
The Broncos will hit the road in their next game, heading to Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 10 to face the Titans at 1 p.m. WMU's next home game will be Saturday, Dec. 17 as Bradley comes to visit for a 2 p.m. game.
