Women's Basketball | August 21, 2019
Bayeux, France- The Western Michigan women's basketball team had a successful first exhibition game in France on August 20, defeating the Douvres Le Delivrande women's 16-34 professional team 72-64 in Normandy.
The Broncos welcomed back several players who were redshirted in the 2018-19 season due to medical reasons. Jordan Walker and Breanna Mobley both made triumphant returns to the squad, Walker making several baskets from the three-point line and Mobley notching eight points and leading the team with eight rebounds.
"I was anxious to see what we would look like with all we've done so far and how long it's been since we bounced the ball," Head Coach Shane Clipfell said. "It definitely showed in the first four or five minutes, but I liked how we were able to find our way. It was fun to see the return of three that weren't available to us all of last year (Mobley, Walker, Brooks) and each of them did quite well. It was nice to see some of the newcomers get minutes under their belts as well. I thought the returners settled in the quickest with Reed making some big baskets both early and late in the game."
Western Michigan held an advantage over Douvres le Deliverande throughout the game, their biggest lead coming in the third quarter as the Broncos pulled away with a ten-point lead. Kamrin Reed scored a team-high 25 points and five shots made from the arc.
The Broncos shot 40.0 from the field (18 for 41) and 35.0 from the three-point range (9 for 26), holding Douvres le Delivrande to a 28.0 percent mark on threes. Graduate newcomer Chelayne Bailey made a strong debut with four rebounds and eight assists.
After the game, the team had the opportunity to meet and mingle with the Douvres players, learning about the world of basketball from a professional and a different cultural perspective.
"We wanted to compete hard, transition well both ways and then defend as a team," said Clipfell. "We did those things decently, and we appreciated the chance to stay after for a team mixer with our opponents, who were very gracious hosts."
The team arrived in Paris this afternoon and took a guided bike tour around the city, seeing several famous landmarks along the way. Remaining in Paris for the rest of the trip, the Broncos play two more games this Thursday and Friday in addition to taking tours of the Eiffel Tower and the Lourve in their free time. For more coverage of everything the Broncos have been up to overseas, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @wmu_wbb.
Game 2: Western Michigan vs. Le Havre - Franconville, France 5:30 p.m. CEST
Game 3: Western Michigan vs. Franconville - Franconville, France 7 p.m. CEST
