KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team defeated in-state rival Eastern Michigan 65-55 Wednesday evening for their sixth Mid-American Conference (MAC) win of the season. The Brown and Gold were led by graduate student guard Kaitlyn Zarycki, who scored 23 points off of an efficient 8-9 from the field (2-2 from distance). 

To open play Wednesday evening, the Broncos started hot by knocking down five of their first seven field goals to begin the quarter. In turn, the Brown and Gold quickly created a nine-point advantage over their cross-state rivals in the early phases of Wednesday's contest. After the Eagles battled back to cut the WMU lead to four with 2:45 in the first, De'Ahna Richardson and Zarycki would both knock down three-pointers to help maintain a six-point lead with under a minute to go in the first. The Brown and Gold would take a seven-point advantage into the second after Artemis Kouki converted on one of her two free throws to cap off the quarter.    

In the second, the Broncos outscored Eastern by 16 points after holding the Eagles to two points in the entire frame. EMU's two points marked a new season low in the amount of points allowed defensively in any quarter this year for the Brown and Gold. During the second, the Broncos limited EMU to under 10% from the field and forced the Eagles to shoot 1-11 for the quarter. After allowing the only two points of the quarter, WMU would embark on a 14-0 scoring run over the remaining 7:52 of the half to take a commanding 23-point lead at the break. During the 14-point outburst, the Broncos maintained a balanced attack with six individuals scoring for the Brown and Gold. 

Out of the break, the Eagles responded by outscoring the Broncos 20-9 in the third quarter to cut WMU's lead to 12 entering the fourth and final frame. During the third, Hannah Spitzley and Zarycki would combine for seven points from the 6:35 mark to the 4:56 mark of the third to maintain a 19-point advantage for the Broncos. EMU would eventually diminish the Bronco lead to 11 points until Jasmine Elder laid in a timely bucket with under two minutes to spare in the quarter. Despite EMU's run, the Broncos would take a 12-point cushion into the fourth Wednesday. 

In the final frame, WMU would lead by as many as 13 points and as few as eight. After both teams ramped up the scoring and exchanged buckets over the quarter's first three minutes, senior Gabi Saxman took over the game and scored six points, dished out an assist, and grabbed two boards over the final six minutes in regulation. Saxman's efforts would help the Broncos to a comfortable 13-point lead with two and a half minutes to spare in the quarter. As time ticked down, Zarycki and Spitzley would knock down free throws to help maintain the double-digit lead in the final minute of regulation and the Broncos were able to coast to their sixth conference win of the season. 

MAC Tournament Implications 

After starting the season 5-9, the Broncos have flipped the script by winning six out of their last 10 contests to climb within two games of the .500 mark on the season and one game within .500 in conference play. With five conference games remaining for the Brown and Gold, the Broncos are tied with Northern Illinois for the sixth seed in the MAC as of this evening. 

Historical Notes 

Zarycki's game high 23 points against the Eagles improved her season total to 458 points through 24 games played. Tonight, Zarycki passed Kelly Koerber (452 points in 2004-05) for the 21st most points scored in a single season for the Brown and Gold.  The guard from Niles, Michigan is now within striking distance of leaping past a multitude of players on any given night: The WMU single season scoring positions ranging from 20th (Kristin Koetsier, 466 points in 2001-02) to 13th (Carrie Moore (2004-05) & Kina Brown (1995) (each with 492 points) span by a differential of only 26 points.

With the win over EMU, the Broncos have swept the Eagles in the season series for the second time in the last three years. The Brown and Gold have not swept Eastern Michigan twice over a three year span since the 1990s. The last time the Broncos would do so was when the Brown and Gold defeated the Green and White in eight straight contests from the 1992-93 season until the 1995-96 season (four consecutive season sweeps). 

Up Next 

The Brown and Gold will host Central Michigan University on Saturday, February 24, at 12:00 PM for Alumni Day, sponsored by Advia Credit Union. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.