KALAMAZOO, Mich. --  The Western Michigan women's basketball team defeated Purdue Fort Wayne after a 29-point fourth quarter Sunday, which propelled the Broncos to a 78-76 victory over the Mastodons. Kaitlyn Zarycki and Maggie Stutelberg combined for 35 points to lead the Brown and Gold on Sunday.  

After starting the 2023-24 season 1-3, the Brown and Gold have rallied by winning four out of their last five games to climb over the .500 mark with a record of 5-4. Much of the credit goes toward the defensive end of the court, where the Broncos have allowed on average 64.6 points per game, which is ranked third-best in the Mid-American Conference. 

Despite allowing 45 first-half points, the Broncos limited Purdue Fort Wayne to only 31 in the second half Sunday. During the final two quarters, the Bronco defense locked down the Mastodons and limited their foes to a 33% clip from the field. Facing a 15-point deficit to start the third quarter, WMU would battle back off an 11-3 run during the 4:37 mark until 1:02 remaining in the third. The Brown and Gold were able to capitalize on a shooting clinic from Stutelberg and Megan Wagner, as the duo combined for four three-pointers and 14 points over the three-and-a-half-minute span to cut the deficit to six points. 

In the fourth quarter of play, WMU fed off of Stutelberg and Wagner's offensive outburst to continue to expand their lead over Purdue Fort Wayne. In total, the Broncos would compile 29 points in the final quarter Sunday. After nailing a free throw, Gabi Saxman would find Stutelberg for two three-pointers over the course of a minute to help bring the Broncos within seven with 7:40 to go in regulation. After both teams fought for an advantage, the Brown and Gold were able to gain momentum after Artemis Kouki drilled a three-pointer off an assisting Saxman and added a pair of free throws to pull Western within a single point. 
  
With the Broncos trailing 73-72, Zarycki took over during the final minute and a half of regulation by completing a 6-0 run by herself. She capped off the personal run by sinking two clutch free throws with three seconds remaining, which in turn gave WMU a 78-76 lead. Zarycki's closing efforts in the quarter solidified WMU's fourth win in five contests and the guard's fourth game of the season with at least 18 points scored.  


Maggie Stutelberg Three Point Tracker 

After Stutelburg's 4-9 clinic from deep, the redshirt sophomore sits five three pointers from owning the 27th most threes made in a single season. Additionally, the redshirt sophomore continued her three point barrage to close in on the career ranks in three pointers made in program history: She sits only 12 three pointers away from tying Sarah Hurrle (2000-01) for the 21st most three pointers made in a career with the Brown and Gold. Stutelberg currently leads the MAC with 3.4 three pointers made per game. 

Up Next

The women's basketball team will conclude the 2023 calendar year in South Bend, Indiana, at #14 Notre Dame on Thursday, December 21, at 6:00 PM. Live Stats and live stream information is available under the women's basketball schedule.