KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team defeated Davenport University 61-48 behind phenomenal performances from
Kaitlyn Zarycki and
Maggie Stutelberg on the offensive front. The two combined for 31 points while shooting 50% from the field and 40% from distance. With the victory, the Brown and Gold have improved their winning streak to a third straight game with a victroy.
Both teams saw a competitive first quarter Saturday. The Panthers were able to get on the board quickly after nailing their first two three pointers to take a 6-3 lead over the Brown and Gold today. Stutelberg knocked down three pointers three times in the quarter, including a fast break trey at the 2:25 mark, which gave WMU a 15-10 lead. After exchanging buckets down the final moments of the first quarter, Artemis Kouki would nail a three pointer with 41 seconds remaining to give the Brown and Gold a six point lead heading into the second quarter of play.
During the second, both teams struggled offensively as the two schools combined for 19 points. Denali Craig-Edwards would open the quarter for Western Michigan with a layup to improve the Broncos lead to eight early in the first 10 seconds of the second. The women's basketball team closed the first half with a quick 5-0 spurt after a layup from Jasmine Elder and a three pointer from Nile Muguira Orbe to take a 30-23 lead. At the half Stutelberg led the women's basketball team with 10 points.
After halftime, the guard Zarycki found herself in foul trouble after picking up two fouls in the third quarter. However, Zarycki would respond and took over the game during the final three and half minutes of the third Saturday. The guard would compile five points expeditiously over a single minute from the 3:32 mark to the 2:29 point in the third to reclaim the lead for the Broncos at 37-36. Alli Carlson and Craig-Edwards would close the quarter out with a layup and a free throw between the pair to tie the game up at 40 all heading into the fourth.
In the final quarter of play, the Broncos put the defensive clamps on Davenport, and limited the Panthers to a quarter low eight points. On the offensive front, the Broncos capitalized on their hot shooting by scoring a quarter high 21 points in the fourth. As a team WMU shot 50% from both the field and three during the fourth Saturday. The Brown and Gold shot over 90% at the free throw line, converting on 12 of 13 free throws in the quarter. As a group, Craig-Edwards, Carlson, Zarycki, and Stutelberg scored all 21 points in the fourth for the Broncos.
Maggie Stutelberg Three Point Tracker
After Stutelberg's blistering 4-8 performance from downtown, she needs only 13 more three pointers on the season to surpass Lauren Ross (2022-23) for the 27th most three pointers made in a single campaign.
Historical Notes
Today Zarycki tied guard Gabi Saxman for the sixth most steals recorded in a single game Saturday afternoon. Saxman had previously recorded six steals in a single game on January 28, 2023 last season versus Kent State.
Up Next
The Broncos will conclude their homestand against Detroit Mercy on Wednesday, December 6, at University Arena. The game will stream on ESPN+ with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.
