Box Score KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team dropped its Mid-American Conference contest on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at University Arena, falling by a score of 63-51 versus Eastern Michigan University.
The Eagles outscored the Broncos 11-6 in second-chance points, out-rebounding WMU 43-27. Western Michigan shot 29.1 percent from the field (16-of-55) while tallying 16-of-25 from the line for 64 percent.
WMU displayed the team's range in scorers as each player to see the court contributed to the scoring.
Taylor Williams shot 4-of-16 from the field and 9-of-15 from the line to lead the Bronco scoring with 17 points. She tallied eight rebounds, and one assist with two blocks and steals each.
Abby Voss followed with eight points, shooting 3-of-9 from the field and 2-of-6 from beyond the arch. She registered six boards while making her first start on the season.
Hannah Spitzley and
Maddie Watters each added six on the night and combining for 14 total points were
Alli Carlson,
Lauren Audino,
Maggie Stutelberg,
Gabi Saxman, and
Megan Wagner.
Wagner made her debut back to the court helping WMU fill in the absence of Bronco starter
Lauren Ross. Wagner added energy and a strong defensive presence off the bench adding four defensive rebounds. Western Michigan recorded 26 points in the paint and 12 points off the bench, four of which came from Audino who shot 2-of-2 from the field and nabbed one steal.
WMU added their highest-scoring quarter in the first with 17 points. The Broncos shot 6-of-17 (35.3 percent) from the field and 4-of-6 from the line (66.7 percent). Spitzley put in a good shift going 1-of-3 from the field and a perfect 2-of-2 mark from the charity stripe. EMU edged Western shooting 9-of-14 from the field and 1-of-1 from the line to make 19-17 EMU.
The Brown & Gold struggled to find a shooting stride in the second, scoring eight points. Eastern opened the second quarter on an 8-0 run. Williams ended the Eagles' run with one of her made layups in the first half.
Out of the locker room, WMU trailed Eastern Michigan 42-25. Again, the Broncos faced hardship scoring, tallying 13 points in the third. Audino lead the third with four points, followed by
Abby Voss with three, Watters and Spitzley each with two, and Williams and Stutelberg with one a piece.
Western Michigan turned in a strong finish, outscoring the Eagles 13-6 in the final stretch, led by a seven-point effort from Williams. In the second half of the contest, EMU shot 6-of-24 (25 percent) from the field, 2-of-9 from deep (22 percent), and 7-of-8 for free throws (88 percent). WMU shot 8-of-27 (30 percent) from the field, 2-of-8 (25 percent) from beyond the arc, and 8-of-14 from the line.
WMU came within eight points twice in the fourth with a made layup by Carlson and again with a pair of made free throws from Williams. EMU finished the game maintaining at least an eight-point lead to secure the win.
Up next, Western Michigan (9-9, 4-3 MAC) looks to rebound on the road, traveling to Kent, Ohio to face Kent State University (11-7, 3-4 MAC) on Saturday, Jan. 28. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
