KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team completed the season sweep of cross-state rival Eastern Michigan, as the Broncos downed the Eagles 70-60 at University Arena in WMU's Play 4Kay Pink Game.
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WMU improved to 16-9 overall, 7-7 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and 7-4 at home this season. The Broncos, who snapped a three-game home losing streak, have three of their final four games at home to close out the regular season heading into the MAC Tournament.
"It was nice to see a good crowd make it out to the game today," head coach Shane Clipfell said. "We have a good product on the floor and I think that people that may have saw us for the first time will be intrigued to come back. Our girls work hard and I know that support means a lot to them."
The Broncos never trailed in the game, but the Eagles had the game tied four times in the first quarter and never brought it within a one possession game after the first. WMU led 16-11 after one and held EMU scoreless for 6:00 into the second quarter, using a 14-0 lead spanning through the two quarters that helped the Broncos lead 25-11 at the 4:17 mark in the second. The Eagles climbed back, cutting their halftime deficit to six as WMU led 31-25. In the second half, the Broncos pushed the lead to double-digits early in the third and let EMU get the deficit below 10 just once the rest of the way.
WMU outrebounded the Eagles 35-29 and forced 19 EMU turnovers, 15 of which came on steals. A trio of Broncos finished with four steals, those being senior Meredith Shipman, junior LaTondra Brooks and sophomore Deja Wimby. EMU narrowly outshot the Broncos, 44 percent to 43.5 percent.
Sophomore Breanna Mobley finished with her 10th double-double this season, tying for the team-lead in points (15) and leading all in rebounds (10). Three others scored in double-figures for WMU as Marley Hill scored 15, Shipman dropped 11 and sophomore Meredith Miller scored 10 off the bench. Shipman went 3-for-9 from beyond the arc, making this the 10th game in a row she's hit multiple triples. Deja Wimby was all over the place, scoring eight and finishing with five assists, four steals and four rebounds.
The Broncos will stay home, hosting Ball State on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. The last four games of the season will come against the top-four teams in the MAC West.
