KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Redshirt junior
Taylor Williams and junior
Hannah Spitzley reeled in an afternoon of season and career highs to propel Western Michigan women's basketball past the University of Akron, 76-71, at University Arena on Saturday.
Williams' season-high 29 points against Akron tied for the 11th-most points scored in a single game in school history. She shot 12-of-19 from the field and 5-of-7 from the line, with the 12 made field goals marking a new season high. Williams registered nine rebounds, two blocks, one steal, and an impressive seven assists. Her seven assists were a career high.
Spitzley shot an efficient 11-of-19 from the floor to register a career-best 25 points. Her 57.9 percent from the floor records a season high, while the junior set career highs in both field goals made and attempted. The junior posted three assists, one block, and a career-best seven steals. Her seven steals tied for fifth-most in a single game in program history.
Gabi Saxman added six points to the scoring mix,
Abby Voss and
Maddie Watters tacked on four apiece, followed by
Maggie Stutelberg and
Megan Wagner with three each and
Lauren Audino with two. The six Broncos combined for a total of 22 points.
As a team, the Bronco offense shot 50.8 percent (31-of-61) from the floor, 26.9 percent (7-of-26) from beyond the arc, and 63.6 percent (7-of-11) from the line. Defensively, WMU forced 19 Akron turnovers, ripped 13 steals, and scored 21 points off of turnovers.
Western Michigan once again exited the gate in full stride, winning tip-off at University Arena and starting the scoring on the day with a made layup. Akron answered the strong start by WMU with its biggest lead of the game with 11 points at 3:24 in the first. The Zips edged the first, outscoring the Broncos 23-20.
The Broncos started the second quarter with a five-point deficit at 9:34 left in the first half until Williams tied the matchup at 27-27 with a made driving layup at 7:48. Akron went on a seven-point scoring run to increase the its lead to eight points heading into the locker room, 42-34. Akron posted 19 points to Western Michigan's 14 in the second quarter.
WMU displayed its shooting strength in the third, shooting 10-of-18 from the field (55.6 percent) in the third quarter. Outscoring the Zips, 23-17, Western Michigan held the advantage in points from turnovers (9), in the paint (14), second chances (2), fast breaks (2), and the bench (3). The Broncos concluded the third trailing Akron 59-57, with their best scoring run a 10-point stretch to begin the third quarter.
The Broncos and Zips battled back and forth all afternoon, as the tilt features nine ties and 10 lead changes before WMU went ahead to stay with 3:07 left to play. Western Michigan overcame an eight-point deficit, shooting 55.2 percent from the field in the second half to post an impressive 76-71 home victory.
Western Michigan continues MAC play next week on the road, traveling first to Oxford, Ohio, for a matchup with Miami University. Tip-off with the RedHawks is set for 7 pm on Wednesday, Feb. 8th. Later in the week, the Broncos take on the Eagles of Eastern Michigan for their second meeting this season. Tip-off in Ypsilanti, Mich, is scheduled for 7 pm on Saturday, Feb. 11th. Both Wednesday's and Saturday's contests will be available for streaming via ESPN+.
