ATHENS, Ohio – The Western Michigan women's basketball team continues its quest toward the
Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament on Wednesday, February 28 at 7:00 PM, against Ohio University on ESPN+. After winning three out of their last four contests, the Brown and Gold are currently 12-13 overall and 7-7 in MAC play (6th in the MAC). With a win Wednesday, the Broncos can complete their first three-game win streak since Jan.17-Jan.24 and sweep the season series over the Bobcats.
Last time out, the Brown and Gold defeated Central Michigan at University Arena 76-49 on Saturday, February 24, to claim their seventh MAC win of the season behind freshman Nile Muguira Orbe's career-high 21 points after her efficient 8-15 shooting performance from the field and 3-7 display from behind the arch.
On Saturday, senior Hannah Spitzley saw success beyond the arch as well, by splashing two three-pointers against CMU. 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 all-time in a Bronco uniform. Spitzley (28 threes made thus far during the 2023-24 campaign) is four treys away from setting a single-season personal best mark from distance.
As for graduate student Kaitlyn Zarycki, her 11 points vs. CMU 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. This year, Zarycki leads the Broncos offensively by averaging 18.8 ppg, while shooting 52.4% from the field, 46% from three, and 89.9% from the free throw line. Her 18.8 ppg ranks 39th in the NCAA and is 2nd in the MAC.
On the defensive half of the court, senior Gabi Saxman tallied two swipes vs. CMU and improved her career total to 122 steals in her career. Saxman is now 15 steals away from passing Michelle Fortier (1990-93) for the 18th most steals all-time for WMU.
Offensively, the Bobcats are led by sophomore Jaya McClure and junior Kennedi Watkins. The duo is averaging a combined 11.7 points per game while shooting 41.6% from the field. Overall, Ohio carries a 8-17 record (5-7 in MAC) into Wednesday's tilt and has lost six out of their last seven matchups. In their last game on Saturday, February 24, the Bobcats lost 67-54 on the road at Buffalo after McClure led Ohio in scoring with 13 points, while freshman Monica Williams and Watkins finished in double figures with 11 points each. On the boards, freshman Laylay Fantroy grabbed a team-high six rebounds.
With a victory over the Bobcats Wednesday, the Broncos can win their sixth consecutive game in the series, matching their longest win streak over Ohio since the 1987-88 through the 1989-90 seasons.
MAC Tournament Outlook
After the conclusion of Saturday's MAC slate, the Broncos moved within one game behind fourth-seed Buffalo and fifth-seed Bowling Green in the MAC standings. With a win over CMU and a loss by Northern Illinois University, the Broncos gained sole possession of the sixth seed in the conference standings this weekend. After losing to Miami (OH) on January 13 and starting the season 5-9, the Broncos have been on a tear by winning seven of their last 11 games to climb to the .500 mark in conference play for the first time this season and one game within .500 on the year overall. Including Wednesday's contest, the women's basketball team has three conference games remaining until the 2023-24 regular season finale against Northern Illinois University on Saturday, March 9, at 1:00 PM at University Arena.
For all things WMU women's basketball, make sure to follow the team on Instagram @wmu_wbb, Twitter @wmu_wbb, and Facebook @westernmichiganwomensbasketball.
