KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team fell to Kent State, 56-52, at University Arena on Wednesday night.

Deja Wimby led the Broncos with 20 points, also collecting 12 rebounds for a double-double. Jasmyn Walker was just two points shy of a double-double with eight points and 11 rebounds. The Broncos (8-16, 2-11 MAC) struggled from the field, shooting just 37 percent (20-for-52) and 21.4 percent (3-for-14) from three. The Golden Flashes were held to just 32.7 percent (18-for-55) from the field but made up for it from three throw, going 14-for-19.

The Broncos opened the first quarter with an 8-0 run, holding Kent State scoreless on its first 11 shots. The Golden Flashes responded with a 13-2 run to take a 13-10 lead after the first quarter thanks to three three-pointers.

Western Michigan had its best stretch of shooting in the second quarter, going 7-for-13 from the field but were outscored thanks to KSU connecting on seven free throws to give the Golden Flashes a 29-24 lead at the half.

Thanks to stingy defense the Broncos cut the lead to four after the third quarter, 35-31. WMU held Kent State to just 2-for-11 from the field in the quarter.

WMU got within three late in the fourth quarter when Maddie Watters came off the bench and connected on a triple with 20 seconds to go, but the Golden Flashes hit their free throws in the remaining seconds to keep the Broncos at bay.

Western Michigan welcomes state rival Eastern Michigan to University Arena on Saturday at 2 p.m. The game can also be seen live on ESPN3. Tickets are available by visiting www.wmubroncos.com/tickets and by calling 1-888-4-WMUTIX.