YPSILANTI, Mich. - The Western Michigan women's basketball team saw a slim lead dissipate late as a clutch three-pointer from Eastern Michigan was a factor in the 64-61 setback on Saturday, Jan. 12 at the Convocation Center. 

With just over three minutes left in the game, two free throws from Nina Farkic gave the Brown & Gold its first lead since the first half at 57-55. A Jasmyn Walker layup gave WMU another two-point advantage with 1:41 left on the game clock, but the Eagles' top scorer Danielle Minott hit a three with 47 seconds remaining to put EMU up 62-61. The home team then added a pair of free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory. Minott scored 13 points in the fourth quarter alone. 

After a strong shooting performance from three-point range in the first half, the Broncos went just 1-for-12 from long range in the second half. For the game, WMU shot 45.1 percent from the field (23-of-51) compared to a 36.1 field goal percentage (22-of-61) from the Eagles. EMU out-rebounded WMU 41-32 and led the Broncos 14-4 in second chance points. 

"We thought it would be a struggle for us to keep them (EMU) off the offensive glass," said head coach Shane Clipfell. "With everything else being equal, if we could have done a better job in that department, we wouldn't have been in that position. We also put them at the foul line far too often, that wasn't part of our game plan."

Sophomore point guard Nina Farkic had a strong showing for Western Michigan, totaling several career-highs. Farkic was just three assists shy of a triple-double, recording her first career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds while adding seven assists. Kamrin Reed and Jasmyn Walker each added 13 points.

"She was all over the place," Clipfell said about Farkic. "With her it is a matter of her being in these situations more often. She is doing an admirable job stepping up with Deja Wimby out."

WMU tallied seven of its eight three-point field goals in the first half. A strong start gave the Broncos a 20-11 advantage after the first quarter, converting 4-of-5 three point attempts. The home team responded to outscore the Broncos 22-13 in the second frame. Reed nailed back-to-back three pointers to give WMU a 26-17 lead with six minutes left in the half, but the Eagles answered on a 16-7 run to deadlock the halftime score at 33-33.

Eastern Michigan opened the second half scoring to take its first lead since scoring the first basket of the game and a 6-0 run forced a Bronco timeout. EMU maintained a lead for the remainder of the quarter but WMU came within a one-possession game, down 49-46 heading into the final stanza.

Game Notes

• Kamrin Reed notched a trio of three-point field goals for the third time this season. 
• Jasmyn Walker grabbed six boards, surpassing 700 rebounds in her career, which includes 499 from her two seasons at Valparaiso. 
• Nina Farkic's 14 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and 37 minutes played were all career-highs. 
• WMU's four-game streak of double-digit makes from three-point range came to an end as the Broncos went 8-for-22 from beyond the arc. 

Up Next
Western Michigan, now 7-7 overall and 0-2 in the Mid-American Conference, returns to University Arena to host Toledo on Wednesday, Jan. 16.