KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team defeated Central Michigan 76-49 on Alumni Day at University Arena Saturday afternoon. Today, four Broncos scored in double figures, including freshman Nile Muguira Orbe, who dropped a career-high 21 points on an efficient 8-15 performance from the field and 3-7 shooting from behind the arch.
After losing to CMU earlier this season on the road, the Broncos sent a message by bursting out to a 10-point first-quarter lead after providing a defensive masterclass. CMU was limited to three field goals after shooting 30% from the field and scored seven points during the first quarter Saturday. The Broncos, led by Hannah Spitzley, scored a total of 17 points in the quarter. The senior scored all seven of the Bronco's first points Saturday and would conclude the quarter with 10, after knocking down a three-pointer assisted by Kaitlyn Zarycki. At the end of the first quarter, the Brown and Gold carried a 17-7 lead into the second frame over their in-state rivals.
Following Spitzley's fast start, the Broncos would pile on a game-best 22 points in the second quarter after shooting an efficient 53.85% from the field. Defensively, the Brown and Gold would continue to lock down CMU, and limited the Chippewas to under 40% from the field for a second straight quarter. During the second, the Broncos managed to close out the quarter in dominating fashion: Muguira Orbe would knock down one of her two three-pointers in the quarter and converted on a free throw, while Zarycki would score five points expeditiously in the final 57 seconds remaining of the half to carry the Broncos into intermission with a 20 point lead over the Chippewas.
Exiting the locker room, the Broncos, yet again, put the defensive clamps on CMU and limited the 'Chips to zero three-pointers on a combined 0-9 from distance in the third. Overall, CMU would tie a quarter-low 33.33% from the field and managed to only score 11 points in the frame. On the offensive half of the court, the Broncos put up 17 points behind a balanced attack of Zarycki, Saxman, Artemis Kouki, Megan Wagner, and Denali Craig-Edwards. After CMU cut the Bronco lead to 17 points, WMU would use the final six and a half minutes in the third to create a 26-point lead by going on a 15-6 scoring run to conclude the third. To cap off the quarter, Wagner would convert on a free throw, while Craig-Edwards would score a layup during the final minute of the third.
In the fourth, Muguira Orbe, De'Ahna Richardson, Kouki, and Craig-Edwards would combine for WMU's 20 points in the final quarter against CMU. Muguira Orbe would start off the quarter strong by capitalizing on a steal with an easy transition layup to put the Broncos ahead by 28 early in the fourth. Later, with just under seven minutes to play, Muguira Orbe would take over and scored seven points in under a minute and a half to put the Broncos ahead by 32. To conclude the fourth, Richardson knocked down a three-pointer, Kouki scored four points off a field goal and two free throws, and Craig-Edwards would convert on two free throws of her own.
MAC Tournament Implications
After losing to Miami (OH) on January 13, the Broncos have been on a tear by winning seven of their last 11 games to climb back to the .500 mark in conference play. With their victory over CMU and a loss by Northern Illinois University this afternoon, the Brown and Gold have claimed full possession of the sixth seed in the Mid-American Conference standings.
Historical Notes
With her two three-pointers this afternoon, Spitzley has now tallied 74 career three-pointers and is only three treys away from passing Sarah Hurrle (76 3 PM, (1999-01)) to claim the 21st most three-pointers made in a Bronco uniform.
As for Zarycki, her 11 points tied her with Megan Boguslawski (469 points in 1995) for the 19th most points scored in a single season for the women's basketball team. Zarycki only needs 26 points to enter inside the top 10 in the all-time single-season scoring list for the Brown and Gold.
For Saxman, her two swipes this afternoon propelled her to 122 steals on her career. Saxman is now 15 steals away from passing Michelle Fortier (1990-93) for the 18th most steals all-time for WMU.
Up Next
The Brown and Gold will travel to Athens, Ohio to take on the Ohio Bobcats on Wednesday, February 28, at 7:00 PM. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
