DEKALB, Ill. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team defeated Northern Illinois University on the road 65-47 Wednesday afternoon. Graduate student Kaitlyn Zarycki led all players with 26 points, four assists, three steals, and one block in the victory for the Brown and Gold. Entering the afternoon matchup, Zarycki was ranked 38th in the NCAA in scoring average, with 18.7 points per game. 

During the first quarter Wednesday, the Brown and Gold were limited to 10 points after shooting a quarter low 25% from the field. Freshman Nile Muguira Orbe, senior Gabi Saxman, Zarycki, and redshirt sophomore De'Ahna Richardson combined for the Broncos 10 points. 

In the second quarter, the Brown and Gold were able to space the floor by knocking down three triples over the span of two and a half minutes. The Broncos used the three triples to jump start an 11-2 scoring run leading into the final three minutes of the half. Zarycki would close out the quarter with a layup and at the break, the Broncos would take a 25-23 lead over the Huskies. 

The women's basketball team would carry momentum from their 11-2 run in the final minutes of the first half into the third quarter Wednesday. As a group, WMU outscored NIU by 10 in the third and held the Huskies to under 10 points for a second consecutive quarter. On the defensive half of the court, Gabi Saxman collected one of her two steals, while Mugira Orbe swiped one for herself in the third quarter. Collectively, WMU would hold NIU to 25% from the field offensively for a second consecutive quarter. The defensive consistency allowed the Broncos to build a 12 point lead entering the fourth quarter. To transition to the fourth, the women's basketball team went on an 11- 4 run over the final 5:31 in the third to take a 43-31 lead into the final quarter. 

The Broncos scored a game high 22 points in the fourth after shooting a quarter best 42.86% as a team. In the quarter, the Brown and Gold continued to attack and shot a team high 13 free throws in the final frame. During the final frame, the Broncos would lead by as many as 19 points and as few as 12. After NIU cut the Bronco lead to 50-38 with five minutes remaining, Zarycki, Muguira Orbe, and Richardson would close out the game swiftly, scoring a combined 13 points over the next three minutes to eliminate any possibility of a NIU comeback. 

Tip-Ins 

Today, Muguira Orbe had a career game after scoring a personal high of 11 points, with nine coming in the second half. Muguira Orbe would shoot 4-8 from the field and 2-5 from distance enroute to her 11 points and grabbed a personal best six rebounds in the afternoon victory. 

MAC Tournament Implications 

With their win over NIU, WMU gained sole control of the sixth seed in the Mid-American Conference standings. Now, with a 5-6 conference record, the Brown and Gold have put themselves in contention for the fourth and fifth seeds with seven conference games remaining in the regular season. As of this afternoon, seeds 4, 5, and 6 in the MAC are separated by a two game difference. 

Historical Notes 

This afternoon Zarycki passed Taylor Williams (2022-23) for the 22nd most points scored in a single season for the Brown and Gold. Through 22 games played, Zarycki has 418 points, which is the third highest single season scoring output of her career.

As for the senior Saxman, her two steals improved her career total to 117 swipes. She is now 20 steals away from passing Michelle Fortier (1990-93) for the 18th most steals recorded in WMU women's basketball history.   

Up Next

The Brown and Gold will travel to Oxford, Ohio to take on the Miami Redhawks Saturday, February 17, at 1:00 PM. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.