MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. –The Western Michigan women's basketball team saw its three-game win streak snapped at the hands of Central Michigan Saturday in a 53-45 defeat. Graduate student Jasmine Elder led the Brown and Gold with 10 points and 10 rebounds en route to her first career double-double. 

During the first quarter of play, the Brown and Gold totaled nine points collectively as a team. Kaitlyn Zarycki would be responsible for a bucket and an assist to De'Ahna Richardson, while Elder scored a team-high four points in the contest's first 10 minutes. At the end of the first quarter, the Brown and Gold faced an eight-point deficit at 17-9. 

In the second frame, the Broncos scored a team-high 14 points in the quarter, after shooting 30.77% from the field. With 7:03 until the half, the Brown and Gold found themselves down seven. Near the conclusion of the quarter, trailing 21-17 with 1:11 remaining in the second, the Broncos clawed back with Elder and Gabi Saxman combining for an expeditious six points in 55 seconds to put WMU and CMU at a 23-23 deadlock at the half. 

The Broncos would outscore CMU for the second straight quarter, after limiting the Chippewas to 10 points and a 16.67% clip from distance, the Brown and Gold would take a two-point lead into the fourth and final frame with a 35-33 advantage with 10 minutes to play. WMU would score all 12 points in the quarter off of three-pointers, with Kaiden Glenn leading the way with two of her own in the quarter. Spitzley, Megan Wagner, and Glenn would account for the Broncos' four three-pointers in the third. 

In the fourth and final quarter, Richardson, Zarycki, Spitzley, and Artemis Kouki combined for the Broncos 10 points. With 6:36 remaining, Zarycki drilled a jumper to give the women's basketball team a four-point lead. However, CMU responded and closed out the contest on an 18-6 run over the final 6:09 in regulation. 

Historical Notes 

Spitzley's two three pointers on the afternoon extended her streak to an eighth straight game with a three pointer made. The senior has now climbed within eight three pointers from tying Sarah Hurrle (2000-01) for a share of the 21st most career three pointers made in program history (76 3PM). 

Today, Zarycki moved inside of  the top 15 in scoring among active NCAA Division I, II, and III women's basketball athletes with 2,054 total points across NCAA Division I and II levels. Through 18 games played this season, Zarycki has totaled 336 points and trails Lauren Ross (2022-23) by 35 points for a share of the 23rd most points scored in a single season in program history. 

Up Next

The Broncos will continue their MAC road slate against Eastern Michigan on Wednesday, January 31 on ESPN+. Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 PM.