KALAMAZOO, Mich.-- The Western Michigan women's basketball team will host the Central Michigan University Chippewas on Saturday, February 24, at University Arena for Alumni Day: Sponsored by Advia Credit Union. The Broncos and Chippewas will tip off at noon and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
CMU is paced offensively by freshman Tamara Ortiz, who is averaging 10.3 points per game. On the glass, the Chippewas are led by Rochelle Norris. Norris is averaging 8.2 rebounds per game which is ranked fourth in the MAC. Last time out, CMU was defeated by Kent State 77-54. Karrington Gordan led the Chippewas with 13 points, while Ortiz chipped in with 10. Entering Saturday's matchup, CMU carries a 5-18 record along with a four-game losing streak.
This week, the Brown and Gold defeated Eastern Michigan at University Arena 65-55 on Wednesday to claim their sixth Mid-American Conference win of the season behind Kaitlyn Zarycki's game-high 23 points. Zarycki's outing propelled her into the 21st position in single-season points scored for WMU. With 458 points on the season and counting, the guard from Niles, Michigan, can potentially leap a multitude of alums in the single-season scoring record books over the next few games, ranging from 20th (Kristin Koetsier, 466 points in 2001-02) to 13th (Carrie Moore (2004-05) & Kina Brown (1995) (each with 492 points).
Additionally, senior Gabi Saxman continued her defensive dominance on Wednesday by recording a steal for a 12th straight game. During her 12-game run, the guard from Schoolcraft, Michigan is averaging 2.1 steals per outing. As of today, Saxman has accumulated a career total of 120 steals and is 17 swipes away from passing Michelle Fortier (1990-93) for the 18th most steals accounted for in a Bronco uniform.
Beyond the arch, senior Hannah Spitzley (72 career threes) is closing in on Sarah Hurrle (76 threes) and Jessica Jessing (83 threes) for the 21st and 20th positions in the all-time career three-pointers made list for WMU. Spitzley with 26 threes made thus far during the 2023-24 campaign, is six threes away from setting a single-season personal best mark from beyond the arch.
MAC Tournament Outlook
As of Friday afternoon, the Broncos are one game behind fourth seed Buffalo and fifth seed Bowling Green in the MAC standings. 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. Including Saturday's contest, the women's basketball team has five conference games remaining until the conclusion of the regular season. Northern Illinois, who plays Bowling Green Saturday, holds an identical 6-7 conference record as the Broncos.
Alumni Day
The women's basketball program will be honoring a total of nine alumni tomorrow spanning across five decades of athletes: Vicky Musky (1981-1985), Jessica Decker (Guthrie) (1993-95), Jennifer Cooley (Rud) (1997-99), Kristin McNally (Koestier) (1999-03) will represent alumni from the 80's, 90's, and early 2000's. Amanda Stenz (Johnson) (2012-15), Jazmine Windham (2012-15), and current assistant coach Meredith Shipman (Applin) (2014-17) will represent the alumni from the 2010's. Rounding out the alumni attending tomorrow's game will be recent graduates Reilly Jacobson (2019-22), Maddie Waters (2019-2023), and Emily Flannery (2021-23).
For all things WMU women's basketball, make sure to follow the team on Instagram @wmu_wbb, Twitter @wmu_wbb, and Facebook @westernmichiganwomensbasketball.
