KALAMAZOO, Mich. – In its Mid-American Conference opener the Western Michigan women's basketball team had three score in double figures as the Broncos fell to in-state rival Central Michigan 82-71 on Wednesday afternoon inside McGuirk Arena

Nine of the ten Broncos that saw the court on Wednesday scored led by sophomore guard Sydney Shafer who matched her career-high with 17 points. Shafer was 6-of-8 from the field against the Chippewas and matched her career-high with three three-pointers. Shafter also tallied four rebounds in 28 minutes.

Behind Shafer was redshirt freshman Taylor Williams who registered a career-high 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field. Redshirt junior Abby Voss rounded out the double digit scoring for the Broncos with 11 points to go along with three rebounds and two assists.

Off the bench the Broncos were led by sophomore forward Ashley Konkle with nine points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field. Konkle scored all nine of her points in the fourth quarter. Freshman Lauren Ross led WMU with a career-high six rebounds and had seven points on 3-of-6 shooting from the field.

As a team the Broncos shot 46 percent from the field and a staggering 57.1 percent from long distance. Western Michigan was narrowly outrebounded by the Chippewas, 34-33 with WMU holding a 25-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. WMU was also able to get to the foul line early and often, attempting 26 free-throws to CMU's four.

Western Michigan forced its in-state rival to commit 10 turnovers on the afternoon, scoring 12 points off of Chippewa turnovers. The Broncos also scored 26 of its 71 points in the paint while CMU scored 30 points in the paint.

WMU now has an overall record of 1-1 and will return to non-conference play on Saturday, Dec. 12 against Valparaiso. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. on ESPN3 from Athletics-Recreation Center.

The Broncos and redshirt freshman forward Taylor Williams got off to a fast start in the first quarter as William scored seven of WMU's first nine points to tie the game at 9-9 midway through the first. CMU went on a 4-0 run to extend its lead before Voss scored four straight to cut the Bronco deficit down to two. The two teams traded baskets near the end of the quarter as CMU held a 25-16 lead after one.

It was a slow start for both teams in the second quarter as neither team made a basket the first three minutes of play. After the slow start CMU went on a 5-0 run to extend its lead to 31-20 at the halfway point of the second quarter. Later in the second, Shafer and Ross hit back-to-back three-pointers to slim WMU deficit down to 35-27 with three minutes remaining in the half. A Chippewa three-pointer at the end of the half sent CMU into the locker room with 42-30 lead.

Western Michigan cut the CMU lead down to 52-41 at the midway point of the third quarter after Shafer went on a personal 5-0 run highlighted by a coast-to-coast and-one. That was the closest the Broncos got in the third quarter as CMU outscored WMU 24-19 and took a 66-49 lead into the final quarter of play.

Central Michigan extended its lead early in the fourth, using a 9-0 run and making five of its first six field goals to take a 79-61 lead. Down the stretch WMU responded with a flurry of points and ended the game on a 14-3 run as CMU secured the 82-71 victory.