KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan University faced a tough 65-53 loss to Bowling Green at University Arena on Saturday, Feb. 18. Despite WMU maintaining the lead for nearly 20 minutes of the game, Bowling Green was able to surge ahead and ultimately secure the win. 
 
Taylor Williams had a strong showing, scoring a game-high 18 points on 9-of-19 shooting from the field. Williams also grabbed an impressive 14 rebounds, dished out two assists, blocked two shots, and recorded a steal. Hannah Spitzley also had a good performance, contributing 14 points while shooting 4-of-7 from the field, 2-of-5 from three-point range, and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line. She added five rebounds, two assists, and one steal to her stat line.
 
Megan Wagner put up a strong effort, registering eight points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. Maggie Stutelberg went 2-of-3 from both the field and three-point range. Additionally, Gabi Saxman, Lauren Audino, and Alli Carlson combined for seven points.
 
In the fierce matchup between Western Michigan and Bowling Green, the Broncos showed off their shooting skills by outshooting the Falcons with an impressive 45.7% shooting percentage from the field and a 38.9% success rate from beyond the arc. BGSU struggled to find the net, making only 36.1% of their shots from the field and 26.7% from the three-point line.
 
Bowling Green got off to a strong start with a made three-pointer by Elissa Brett, which was answered by a driving layup by Williams. The Falcons held Western Michigan to just two points until Williams scored another layup with 4:51 left to play in the quarter. Spitzley then hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 7-7, and Stutelberg put up another, making it 10-7. The lead changed hands several times in the quarter, ending in favor of WMU, 18-13.
 
Closely contested in the second quarter, Western Michigan maintained the upper hand with two lead changes and three ties to take the lead into the locker room at 29-24. 
 
BGSU managed to outscore the Broncos in the third, 18-15, despite WMU shooting an impressive 55.6 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from deep, and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line. The two teams tied with 10 rebounds each, with WMU holding the advantage in defensive rebounds and BGSU in offensive. 
 
Bowling Green intensified its pressure and scored 23 points in the final period to overtake the Broncos and grab the victory. 
 
Looking ahead, the Western Michigan women's basketball team is set to face off against Ball State University on Wednesday, Feb. 22. The game will take place at 6:30 pm at Worthen Arena and can be streamed on ESPN+. Following their away game, the Broncos return home to University Arena to take on Ohio University for Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 25. The matchup is scheduled for 2 pm and will feature a special tribute to the team's three senior players, Emily Flannery, Abby Voss, and Maddie Watters. 
 
To purchase tickets to any Western Michigan women's basketball home game this season, visit wmubroncos.com/tickets or call 1-888-4-WMUTIX.