KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The No. 8 seeded Western Michigan women's basketball team held off No. 9 seed Miami to post a 73-66 victory in the opening round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The win advances the Broncos to Cleveland where they will face No. 1 seed Central Michigan in the quarterfinals at noon on Wednesday, March 8.

Senior Meredith Shipman poured in 15 points in each half for a season-high 30 points, one shy of her career high of 31 recorded last season. Shipman went 11-for-19 from the floor with four 3-pointers, including one at the third quarter buzzer that tied the game at 50-50.

Western Michigan led by six at halftime, 34-28, but the RedHawks erased the deficit in the first 10 minutes of the second half. The fourth quarter was as back and forth as it could get with nine lead changes and four tied scores.

WMU finally pulled ahead for good with 1:51 left in the game when sophomore Deja Wimby drove to the lane and was fouled. She made the layup as well as the free throw, putting the Broncos on top, 68-66. Miami did not score from there, closing out the game 0-for-6 from the field.

Wimby converted another layup with just over a minute on the clock and WMU went 3-for-4 at the free throw line in the final 30 seconds to preserve the victory. Wimby ended with 15 points, four rebounds and three steals.

Sophomore Breanna Mobley had 13 rebounds and five points to help Western Michigan dominate the rebounding margin, 42-34. The Broncos also out-scored the RedHawks in the paint, 42-18. WMU's overall record improves to 18-12.

Lauren Dickerson led Miami with a game-high 33 points and four assists. Kendall McCoy contributed a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. The RedHawks conclude the season with an 11-21 record.