ESTERO, Fla. – In the opening game of the Gulf Coast Showcase, the Western Michigan women's basketball team fell to Big East competitor and 2017 WNIT Sweet 16 participant St. John's, 76-48 on Friday afternoon. The contest was the Broncos' fifth consecutive game away from home.

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The Broncos got out to an early 13-10 lead, forcing the Red Storm to commit nine turnovers as SJU shot 3-for-15 from the floor. The second quarter was much different as the Johnnies stormed back with an 8-0 run in the second, shooting a blistering 77 percent from the field and pushing their lead to 12 at the half. The second half was more of the same, as the Broncos just couldn't come back from.

Western Michigan shot just 22.8 percent in the first half and 29.2 percent for the game. The Broncos were 2-for-14 from behind the arc, coming from Jasmyn Walker and junior Meredith Miller. WMU also converted eight of its 13 attempts from the free throw line.

The Broncos were held to a season-low 48 points as 16 of them came from junior Breanna Mobley. The double figure game is her third this season as she also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out two assists.

WMU's other playmakers had an off day, as Marley Hill, Jasmyn Walker and Deja Wimby went a combined 6-for-21 from the field. Wimby collected seven points while Hill and Walker notched four apiece. As a team, Western Michigan collected nine steals off 17 turnovers as the Broncos came away with 15 second-chance points.

St. John's had four players score in double figures and as a team shot 49.2 percent from the field. Maya Singleton recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Western Michigan continues play at the Gulf Coast Showcase tomorrow playing in its sixth game on the road this season, facing RV Rutgers at 11 a.m. inside Germain Arena.