KALAMAZOO, Mich. – All five starters for Western Michigan women's basketball scored in double figures as the Broncos cruised to their third straight victory with an 86-53 win over Northern Illinois on Saturday afternoon.

The starting five for WMU all scored in double figures, marking the first time this season five players have scored in double figures. The starting five of Reilly Jacobson, Taylor Williams, Maddie Watters, Sydney Shafer and Megan Wagner combined to score 77 of WMU's 86 points.

Leading the way was sophomore guard Sydney Shafer with 22 points, the fifth 20-point performance for Shafer this season. Shafer was 7-of-13 from the field and was a staggering 5-of-8 from behind the three-point line. The five three-pointers matched her career-high. The sophomore guard also collected seven rebounds to go with five assist and one steal.

For the third time this season redshirt senior Reilly Jacobson recorded a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Jacobson was 6-of-13 from the field against the Huskies while four of her 15 rebounds came on the offensive glass. The Waukee, Iowa native also had a career-high five assists in 33 minutes.

Behind Shafer is scoring was redshirt freshman Taylor Williams with 17 points. Williams was a staggering 8-of-12 from the field and just 1-of-2 from the free-throw line. The redshirt freshman ranked second on the team with seven rebounds to go along with one assist and one steal.

Continuing her stellar play with her fourth straight double-digit performance, junior Maddie Watters had 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the field. Watters knocked down three from long distance while having three rebounds and one steal.

Rounding out the double digit scorers was freshman Megan Wagner with 12 points. Wagner was 4-of-8 from the field and 3-of-6 from behind the three-point line. It's the fourth game this season Wagner has scored in double figures and was three shy of her career-high.

Off the bench redshirt junior Abby Voss registered three points while grabbing three rebounds. The trio of Hannah Spitzley, Lauren Audino and Hannah Douglas each scored two points to round out the scoring for the Broncos.

As a team the Broncos shot a stellar 48.6 percent from the field and was 12-of-29 from long distance. The 12 three's marks the second straight game WMU has had at least 10 made three's and fifth game this season.

Western Michigan outrebounded NIU, 43-35 including a 9-7 advantage on the offensive glass. The Broncos forced NIU to commit 16 turnovers on Saturday afternoon, scoring 24 points off of the Huskies mistakes. WMU also dominated near the basket scoring 42 of its 86 points in the paint.

With its third straight victory WMU now has an overall record of 6-13 and 5-12 in Mid-American Conference play. The Broncos return to the court and play their final home game of the regular season on Wednesday, March 3 against Toledo.

The Broncos came out on fire from behind the three-point line in the first quarter as Megan Wagner and Sydney Shafer knocked down back-to-back three's to give WMU a 6-0 lead. Northern Illinois scored five straight to trail by one before WMU embarked on a 13-3 run to gain a 19-7 advantage with three minutes remaining.

To end the first quarter, the Bronco defense forced NIU to miss their final five field goals as Western Michigan had a 24-11 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.

The Broncos continued their scorching start embarking on a 7-0 run to take a 34-15 lead with 6:31 remaining. Maddie Watters provided the offensive spark scoring five of the seven points during the run.  Down the stretch of the second quarter, NIU went on an 8-0 run of their own to cut into the WMU lead.

Western Michigan was held scoreless the final 3:56 of the second quarter, missing its final six field goals. Despite the cold streak the Broncos took a 41-28 lead into the locker room.

Out of halftime the Huskies cut the Bronco lead down to 11 after a pair of free-throws before WMU embarked on a 10-0 run to extend its lead. The run was highlighted by back-to-back and-one baskets from Taylor Williams to give WMU a 51-30 lead. Late
in the third after a 10-0 run from the Huskies, Sydney Shafer rattled off five straight points to give WMU a 56-40 advantage.

Ultimately WMU took a 61-43 lead into the fourth quarter after ending the quarter scoring five of the final eight points.

Through the first four minutes of the fourth quarter Western Michigan went on a 9-0 run to extend its lead to 75-45. NIU slowly clawed its way back and cut its deficit down to 18 before the Broncos made five of their next seven field goals to gain an 82-51 advantage with two minutes to play.

Northern Illinois was held without a field goal the final 4:43 of play and missed its final five field goals. On the opposite end, Western Michigan made five of its final six field goals to a third straight victory.