KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan women's basketball team dropped its Mid-American Conference home opener on Wednesday, Jan. 9 at University Arena, falling by a score fo 72-59 versus the University of Akron. 

The Zips outscored the Broncos 15-2 in second chance points, out-rebounding WMU 45-30. Western Michigan shot 38.2 percent from the field (21-of-55) while tallying double-digit makes from beyond the arc for the fourth-straight game, going 11-for-27 from long-range. 

Logan McCane had a career performance, stepping up in the absence of two Bronco starters. Playing in a career-high 33 minutes, McCane scored a career-high 11 points off 4-of-7 shooting from the field, headlined by a 3-of-5 mark from three-point land in the first half. Meredith Miller and Maddie Watters also converted a trio of three-point field goals each, tallying 10 and nine points, respectively. Jasmyn Walker led WMU with seven boards.  

The Brown & Gold struggled to find a shooting stride early as they shot 1-for-12 from the field in the first quarter while Akron opened the game on a 14-2 run. McCane ended the Zips' run with one of her three three-point field goals in the first half. McCane shot 3-of-5 from long-range in the first half to surpass her career-high point total.

WMU came within five of Akron during an 8-0 run as a Walker layup trimmed the visitors' lead to 27-22 with under three minutes remaining in the half. The Zips answered, however, closing out the second quarter on a 7-0 run to take a 34-22 advantage into the intermission.

Early into the second half, Kamrin Reed completed a three-point play with a layup and free throw to come within eight points of the visitors, down 36-28. That would be closest the Broncos would come to mounting a comeback, as Akron maintained a double-digit lead for the majority of the half.

Western Michigan turned in a strong finish, outscoring Akron 21-20 in the final 10 minutes, led by a nine-point effort from Watters.

After the Zips began the final frame with a three-pointer, the Broncos answered with an 8-0 run to come within nine points, down 55-46 a couple minutes into the fourth quarter.

WMU came within nine once more with a Watters three-pointer with five and a half remaining, but Akron finished the game outscoring the Broncos 14-10 while maintaining at least an 11-point lead to secure the win.   

Game Notes

• The Broncos' 11 three-pointers marks the fourth consecutive game with at least 10 three-point field goals
  • 11 three-pointers ties the Dec. 21 total versus Florida A&M
• In a career-high 33 minutes played, Logan McCane set career-best marks in points (11), made field goals (4), and three-point field goals (3)
• Freshman guard Maddie Watters made her first collegiate start
• Freshman Jacinta Gibson scored a career/season-high four points in a career/season-high 17 minutes played
• WMU's four blocked shots ties a season-high total set in the season opener versus Purdue Fort Wayne (Nov. 8)