KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan women's basketball returns to the hardwood on Wednesday evening to host the Eastern Michigan Eagles for the final home game of the season. Tip-off inside University Arena on March 2 is confirmed for 7 p.m.
 
WHERE TO WATCH
Wednesday's matchup between the Broncos and Eagles will be available for streaming via ESPN3. The link to the stream is listed above, and can also be found HERE.
 
EXPLORING THE EAGLES (7-18, 4-14 MAC)
Eastern Michigan enters Bronco territory tomorrow evening following a home loss suffered at the hands of the Toledo Rockets this past Saturday by a final margin of 75-51. UT outscored EMU in each of the final three quarters to keep the Eagles at bay and seal the deal.

Redshirt sophomore forward Ce'Nara Skanes was the lone Eagle to finish in double figures against Toledo this past weekend, posting a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals. Freshman guard Lachelle Austin contributed nine points, four rebounds, and three assists as well. EMU was held to just 31.1 percent from the field, and played without leading scorer Areanna Combs.

As a group this season, Eastern Michigan averages 67.8 PPG on 39.5 percent shooting from the field, while allowing 71.0 PPG defensively for a scoring margin of -3.2. The Eagles connect on 29 percent of their looks from beyond the arc and 69.2 percent of their attempts from the foul line for an average of 5.6 made threes and 12.3 freebies each time they take the court. EMU also ranks third in the conference in steals per game (9.2) and turnover margin (+2.44).

In the rebounding efforts, the Eagles pull in 37.4 board per game and post a rebounding margin of -0.4 this season. EMU ranks fourth in the MAC in offensive rebounds, grabbing 12.36 of their own misses each time they take the floor. Eastern Michigan also dishes out an even 10 assists per contest, and post an assist to turnover ratio of 0.7 for their campaign.

Leading the charge for the Eagles this season has been redshirt senior guard Areanna Combs, who posts a season average of 18.2 PPG (seventh in MAC) on 36.4 percent shooting to go along with 6.0 RPG and 2.5 SPG (fourth in MAC). Ce'Nara Skanes is a big piece of the EMU offense as well, averaging 12.8 PPG on 45.8 percent shooting and 9.2 RPG, while connecting on 74.7 percent of her opportunities from the foul line.
 
BREAKING DOWN THE BRONCOS (15-12, 9-9 MAC)
Western Michigan wraps up their home schedule on Wednesday after a senior day victory over rival Central Michigan this past Saturday, taking care of business by a final score of 68-49. The Broncos connected on 44.4 percent of their looks from deep and 80 percent of their free throws, while holding the Chippewas to 35.1 percent from the field and just 15.4 percent from three to complete the season sweep.

Redshirt senior Reilly Jacobson was the biggest catalyst for WMU on Saturday, appearing on the triple-double watch with 19 points on 5-7 from the field and three of four from deep, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Jacobson was also flawless from the foul line, cashing in on all six of her attempts. Sophomore guard Lauren Ross added 16 points on 5-10 shooting and 4-7 from three-point range, three rebounds, and a pair of assists to round out the double digit efforts for the Broncos. Fellow sophomore guard Hannah Spitzley contributed nine points and four rebounds of her own, going four for six from the field during her afternoon.

As a team, Western Michigan scores 65.7 PPG on 40.9 percent shooting while holding opponents to 63.1 PPG, which is good for third-lowest opposing PPG in the conference. The Broncos post a scoring margin of +2.5 while sinking 32.3 percent of their shots from three-point territory and 68.6 percent of their free throws for 7.3 made triples and 11.6 good free throws each game.

On the glass, WMU secures 33.6 boards per game while dishing out an average of 12.9 dimes each time out. The Broncos also post a turnover margin of +1.8 and an assist to turnover ratio or +0.8 on the season. WMU currently comes in at seventh in the conference standings, and will need a good week to secure its spot in Cleveland for the MAC Tournament.

Western Michigan has been driven this season by Lauren Ross, who is currently sixth in the Mid-American Conference in scoring, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage, averaging 18.23 PPG on 43.4 percent shooting and 81.3 percent from the free throw line. Ross is also good for an even five boards per game and finds nylon on 33.8 percent of her looks from deep.

Junior guard Sydney Shafer, as well as the forward combination of redshirt sophomore Taylor Williams and Reilly Jacobson have all been key pieces for WMU. Shafer has been a spark off the bench as of late, finishing in double figures in five of her last six games, including 18 and 19 points in consecutive games against Ball State last week. Jacobson and Williams have also combined for 12 double-doubles this season, highlighted by two in the same game earlier this season at Miami (OH).
 
ON THE HORIZON
Following Wednesday's game against Eastern Michigan, the Broncos head back to the buckeye state on Saturday for a regular season finale with the Toledo Rockets. Tip-off inside Savage Arena on March 5 is set for 2 p.m. and will be available for streaming via ESPN+.

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