KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team rings in the 2023 calendar year with the Mid-American Conference opener, traveling to the University of Toledo for a contest with the Rockets on Wednesday, Jan. 4. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm at Savage Arena. 
 
OPENING TIP 

• Western Michigan enters play 5-6, having won three of its last four contests.
• Lauren Ross leads the MAC in scoring, averaging 21.4 PPG. She ranks 10th in the nation in scoring and has three games with at least 25 points. 
• WMU leads the MAC in three-point field goal attempts per game with 28.7, ranking eight in the country.
• The Broncos are shooting 38.8 percent (255-for-658) from the field, 27.8 percent (88-for-316) from deep, and 67.6 percent (138-for-204) from the charity stripe. WMU averages 31.5 rebounds, 12.2 assists, 10.5 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game.

 
WHERE TO WATCH 
Wednesday's matchup between the Broncos and Rockets will be available for streaming via ESPN+. The link to the stream is listed above, and can also be found HERE. 
 
LAST TIME OUT 
Western Michigan rounded out its non-conference schedule with an 85-57 setback at the hands of No. 5 Notre Dame. Lauren Ross netted 14 points for WMU, making her 11th straight game in double-figures. Hannah Spitzley joined in double digits with 12 points and a team-high five rebounds. Despite pulling 20 boards, eight assists, three blocks, and eight steals, the Broncos concluded play with 20 points in the paint and 17 points from the bench. Western Michigan shot 36.8 percent (21-of-57) from the floor. 
 
TAKING ON TOLEDO 
The Toledo Rockets enter play 9-2 overall, coming off a six-game winning streak. The Rockets were victorious their last time out against Oakland. Junior Khera Goss, Sammi Mikonowicz, and senior Quinesha Lockett reached double figures in scoring to lead Toledo to the win. Lockett leads Toledo in scoring at 14.9 PPG, scoring double figures in all but one game this season. Goss and Mikonowicz both average 9.5 PPG, with Sophia Wiard trailing just behind with 8.3 PPG. Mikonowicz also leads the team in rebounding with an average of 7.1 RPG.
 
As a unit, Toledo is shooting 46.3 percent from the floor and averaging 72.5 PPG. The Rockets rank top three in the MAC in scoring defense (58.27%), field goal percentage defense (38.0%), and three-point field goal percentage defense (26.0%). They also rank first in the MAC for free throw attempts per game (20.6) and free throws made per game (15.8).
 
BRONCOS IN MAC OPENERS
Under Head Coach Shane Clipfells tenure dating back to the 2012-13 season, Western Michigan has gone 7-3 in Mid-American Conference openers. 
 
2012-13: vs. Eastern Michigan 56-52 L
2013-14: at Miami 88-78 W
2014-15: vs. Akron 67-61 W
2015-16: at Ohio 73-63 L
2016-17: vs. Akron 73-60 W
2017-18: vs. BGSU 67-58 W
2018-19: vs. BGSU 84-82 W
2019-20: vs. Toledo 84-72 W
2020-21: vs. Buffalo 87-66 L
2021-22: vs. Kent State 55-51 W
 
LAST YEAR IN THE MAC
Last season, the Broncos 10-10 overall during Mid-American Conference, finishing seventh in the MAC West standings. WMU concluded tournament play in the MAC quarterfinals at the hands of the Buffalo Bulls by a final score of 63-49. 
 
UP NEXT
Following Wednesday's game the Broncos will head home to host Ball State in a double header with Western Michigan men's basketball. Tip-off inside University Arena is set for 2 pm. 
 
To purchase tickets to any Western Michigan women's basketball game this season, visit wmubroncos.com/tickets or call 1-888-WMU-TIX.