KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Western Michigan women's basketball team earned a season sweep over Ball State University with a 72-54 win over the Cardinals on Saturday, March 2 at University Arena. 

The Broncos welcomed back the 2003 Mid-American Conference Champions during Alumni Day and treated them to a complete 40-minute effort, leading throughout the entire game en route to the double-digit victory. WMU tallied a season-high 20 assists and 12 makes from beyond the arc. 

Western Michigan held a 39-30 advantage in rebounds and forced 15 Cardinals turnovers, converting those into 19 points. The Broncos shot 46.8 from the field (29-of-62) and 42.9 percent from three-point range (12-for-28) while limiting Ball State to an 18.8 percent mark from long-range. 

"I thought our work on the boards was the best by far this year," said head coach Shane Clipfell. "I thought we were really locked in from the beginning and it is encouraging to be able to sustain that throughout the game. This team is capable of making double-digits from three on a consistent basis and it has a lot to do with confidence." 

For the first time this season, two Broncos recorded double-doubles. Deja Wimby notched her fourth of the season and was just two rebounds shy of a triple-double with 14 points, a career-high 11 assists, and eight rebounds. Jasmyn Walker recorded her third double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Leighah-Amori Wool led WMU with 19 points, tying a career-high with five three-point field goals. Kamrin Reed was the fourth Bronco starter to score in double figures with 12 points. Maddie Watters added nine points off the bench with a trio of three-pointers. 

"It really was a team effort I think, spearheaded by Walker and Wimby," Clipfell commented. "You also have to tip your hat to Meredith Miller today defensively. We've put her in that position all year long and today she was better than ever."

A Walker layup capped off a 10-0 start to the game for WMU, forcing a Ball State timeout two and a half minutes into the game. The Brown & Gold didn't look back and led by as many as 15 times twice throughout the first 20 minutes. A Wimby jumper with seconds left in the half gave the Broncos a 42-27 advantage at the intermission.

Western Michigan was paced by a 50 percent shooting effort from the field while going 7-for-17 from three-point range in the first half. In addition, the Broncos out-rebounded the Cardinals 22-16 in the first 20 minutes.

Despite the Cardinals opening the second half on a 7-0 run to trim the WMU lead to eight points, the Broncos didn't panic, responding with a three-pointer from Wool after a timeout, which led to a 12-4 run heading into the fourth quarter as the Broncos led 54-38. Watters made her third triple of the day near the end of the game to give WMU its largest lead of the game, leading by 24 at 72-48. 

Game Notes

• The Broncos' 12 three-pointers marks the eighth time WMU has recorded double-digit makes from long-range this season and is the most since Western Michigan shot 15-for-30 from three-point range Jan. 9, 2016 at Toledo. 
• Wimby's double-double is her 4th of the season and the 10th of her career.
• Walker's double-double is her 3rd of the season and the 4th of her career.
• Leighah Wool's five three-pointers ties a career-high set at Ohio (Feb. 16).
• WMU records its first MAC series sweep of the year, as they also defeated Ball State 65-62 in Muncie, Ind. on Jan. 26.
• WMU's 29 made field goals is the second most this season. The 42.9 three-point field goal percentage is also the second-best of the year. 
• The double-doubles by Walker and Wimby marks the first time this season WMU has had two players with double-doubles.