KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team suffered a 62-47 loss at the hands of reigning Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament Champions Buffalo on Saturday afternoon at University Arena. The Broncos fall to 14-6 overall and 5-4 in the MAC while the Bulls improved to 15-5 and 5-4 in the MAC.
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The teams were about even in the first quarter, with the Broncos owning a seven-point advantage midway through the quarter and taking a two-point lead to the second quarter. The second and third quarters were different stories however, as WMU was outscored 31-17 in those two quarters combined. The Broncos brought it to within one point with 4:23 to play in the third, but the Bulls ended the third quarter on an 11-0 run and led by 12 heading into the final quarter, where WMU couldn't bring it to single digits.
Redshirt junior Marley Hill finished with her second career double-double, leading the team with 18 points and finishing with 10 rebounds. Sophomore Breanna Mobley scored eight and grabbed 11 rebounds, the 11th time this season she's finished with 10 or more rebounds. Senior Meredith Shipman scored eight points and added five assists and three steals. She also went 2-for-7 from beyond the arc, making this the fifth straight game with multiple 3-pointers made.
A key stat of the game was shooting percentage, where the Broncos were held to 26.2 percent from the field; the Bulls shot 38.2 percent. WMU won the rebounding battle, 51-44, making this the second straight game the Broncos have lost while outrebounding their opponent. The Brown & Gold were charged with 18 turnovers and went 11-for-17 from the free-throw line.
Senior JoAnna Smith, a preseason All-MAC East player, led all scorers with 27 points and hit five 3-pointers in the game. Buffalo came into this game with the second highest Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) in the MAC at No. 73.
WMU will have a much needed week off before heading out to face a tough Northern Illinois squad on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.
