DETROIT, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team dropped Saturday's contest at Detroit Mercy 72-63. In the defeat, junior Marina Asensio led all players with a game-high 24 points and redshirt junior De'Ahna Richardson made a season-high four three-pointers. 

During the first quarter of play Saturday, Richardson caught fire quickly and knocked down two three-pointers over the span of the first four and a half of play to lead WMU to an early 6-3 advantage. After Richardson's treys, Asensio and D'myjah Bolds combined for five points to improve WMU's lead to 11-3 with just under four and a half minutes remaining in the first. Despite the fast start from the Broncos, Detroit Mercy ended the first quarter on an 11-1 run to take a 14-12 lead into the second quarter.

The Broncos responded to the Titan's comeback and limited Detroit Mercy to only nine points in the second quarter and 30% shooting from the field. With the Titans leading 20-18 with 5:43 to play in the half, WMU flipped the switch and capitalized on an 11-3 run to take a six-point lead into the break. During the scoring run, Spitzley and Asensio combined for all 11 points to propel the Brown and Gold into halftime.

The Broncos continued to surge after the half. Eventually, they created a seven-point lead after freshman Vinyet Morato converted on an and-one opportunity, to give WMU a 32-25 cushion with 8:30 remaining in the third. After watching their lead diminish to a single point with 3:41 remaining in the quarter, Spitzley and Asensio collected five points to increase WMU's lead to 44-40 with 1:20 remaining to play in the frame. Despite WMU's attempts to increase their lead, Detroit Mercy knotted the game up at 44 all entering the fourth quarter. 

With 8:56 in the fourth quarter, Detroit Mercy took a four-point advantage after beginning the final frame on a 6-0 run. Over the next two minutes, WMU battled back, behind three-pointers from Richardson and Asensio to take a 53-52 lead over the Titans with 6:52 to play.  Detroit Mercy responded to WMU's comeback attempt and outscored WMU by 10 points over the next three minutes to take a 64-55 lead over the Brown and Gold. 
 

With two minutes remaining, Morato made a layup to shrink Detroit's lead to 62-57. However, over the final two minutes of the contest Detroit Mercy would close regulation by outscoring WMU 10-6. 

Tip-Ins

Asensio's 24 points marked a new career high for the guard from Sabadell, Spain.

Historical Notes 

Sptizley improved her career total to 136 steals this afternoon. The graduate student guard from Westphalia, Michigan, is now tied with Michelle Fortier 1990-93 for the 18th most steals recorded in program history.   

Up Next

The Brown and Gold will host Cleary University at University Arena on Wednesday, November 27 at Noon. The game will be available on ESPN+ and tickets for the contest are on sale now at https://wmubroncos.evenue.net/events/WBI.