SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- The Western Michigan women's basketball team closed out its trip to Puerto Rico with a 58-54 victory over the University of North Carolina Asheville on Saturday evening. The Broncos were led by De'Ahna Richardson and Kaitlyn Zarycki, who combined for 28 points after a 10-23 performance from the field.  

During the first quarter of play Saturday, both teams battled back and forth, exchanging buckets over the first five minutes of the contest. Redshirt sophomore guard Maggie Stutelberg was able to connect on a deep three-pointer, to put the Broncos ahead by two with 5:35 remaining in the quarter. Tonight Stutleberg would triple three times on a 50% clip from beyond the arch, marking 16 threes on the season in only five games. During the 2022-23 campaign, Stutleberg made a total of 33 threes in 29 games.

In the second quarter, the Broncos were outscored 15-10 by Asheville. During the second frame of play Saturday, Jasmine Elder, Nile Muguira Orbe, Artemis Kouki, Alli Carlson, and Zarycki all supplied buckets for the Brown and Gold. The Broncos faced an eight-point deficit at the break after Asheville concluded the half on an eight to two scoring run. 

After halftime, Richardson exited the locker room on fire making a jumper and a three-pointer in back-to-back possessions for WMU. Her scoring spurt willed the Broncos to a three-point deficit with 8:20 remaining in the quarter. Richardson passed off the hot hand to the guard Zarycki later in the quarter. Zarycki would tally four points and an assist during the final minutes of the third to propel Western Michigan within two points. Zarycki's last jumper of the quarter brought Western Michigan within two at 42-40 in the third quarter's final minute and a half. However, Asheville would respond with a speedy five points to enter the fourth quarter with a 47-40 lead over WMU. 

Despite the seven-point deficit, the Brown and Gold banded together and rallied by out scoring the Bulldogs 18-7 in the final quarter of play. Stutelberg would feed off of Zarycki's energy and started the fourth off with a three-pointer to further dissipate the scoring gap for the Broncos. The Brown and Gold began the fourth with a 9-0 run after buckets from Stutelberg, Zarycki, and Richardson. Eventually, the Broncos would regain the lead after Zarycki converted on an and-one opportunity with 6:50 left to play. The women's basketball team would close the final 4:29 of the fourth out similarly to how they began the quarter with yet another run this time a 9-1 scoring spree. The guard Gabi Saxman and forward Richardson would drill clutch three-pointers down the stretch to pull the Broncos in front 55-52 with 1:30 in the contest. Richardson's last three of the night proved to be the game-winner in crunch time for the Broncos, giving the Brown and Gold their second win of the season. 

Up Next: The Brown and Gold will host Valparaiso for their home opener on Wednesday, November 29, at 7:00 PM at University Arena.