KENT, Ohio — The Western Michigan women's basketball team dropped its Mid-American Conference tilt against Kent State Wednesday evening 70-57. Redshirt sophomore De'Ahna Richardson led the Brown and Gold with a career-high 16 points and four steals after shooting a blistering 50% from downtown. 

In the first quarter, WMU managed to double up Kent State after opening the first four minutes with eight efficient points. Gabi Saxman, Jasmine Elder, and Hannah Spitzley jump-started the Bronco offense after scoring as a collective group. With under six minutes to play in the quarter, the Brown and Gold controlled a four-point lead after a jumper from Kaitlyn Zarycki, which put the Broncos ahead at 8-4. Despite the fast start, WMU would score only five points during the remaining six minutes of the first. The Broncos would trail 18-13 after the first 10 minutes of play Wednesday. 

During the second, Kaiden Glenn knocked down a three-pointer with 6:35 remaining in the half to pull the Broncos within three points at 19-16. Kent State would respond and compiled a 28-17 lead over WMU over the next four minutes of the second quarter. Halting the run, Richardson caught fire and drilled two three-pointers over the span of 1:13 to bring WMU within seven points. At intermission, WMU faced a 10-point deficit and trailed the Golden Flashes 33-23. 

After the break, the Broncos battled back and cut Kent State's lead to seven with 4:49 in the third after making a ferocious comeback effort. From the 8:20 to the 4:49 mark, WMU outscored Kent State 12-5 with the versatile scoring of Saxman, Spitzley, Nile Muguria Orbe, and Zarycki. However, the Broncos were halted on the offensive end over the final four and a half minutes of the third Wednesday and were held to four points, all from Zarycki. 
 
In the fourth, the Broncos scored a team-high 18 points in the quarter behind four combined three-pointers from Megan Wagner, Richardson, and Spitzley. Over the first three minutes of play, Wagner and Spitzley connected from downtown to cut the deficit to 54-45 early in the fourth. Later, Saxman would connect on three of four free throw attempts on back-to-back offensive possessions to bring the Brown and Gold within eight with six and a half to go in regulation. Riding off her offensive momentum, Richardson connected once again from downtown to will the Broncos within seven points with three and a half to go in the quarter. Both teams would exchange buckets over the final three and a half minutes, which prevented the Broncos from gaining an advantage over Kent State before the final buzzer. 

Historical Notes

Zarycki is within striking distance of entering the single-season program record books in multiple statistical categories including the scoring and steals departments. After tonight's contest, Zarycki needs 10 points to pass Lauren Ross (371 points in 2022-23) for the 23rd most points scored in a single season for the Brown and Gold. Defensively, the guard from Niles, Michigan needs 16 steals to pass Abby Voss (55 steals in 2022-23) to enter inside the program's single-season top 24 steals threshold. 

As for Spitzley, her single three-pointer moved her within eight threes of surpassing Sarah Hurrle (2000-01) for the 21st most threes made all-time in program history. Spitzley is also closing in on the single-season record books and needs only 13 treys to pass Lauren Ross (35 threes in 2022-23) to claim the 27th most threes made in a single season. 

Up Next 

The Brown and Gold will host Appalachian State University as part of National Girls & Women in Sports Day, sponsored by PNC Bank on Saturday, February 10. Events will start at 12:30 PM and tip-off is slated at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $3.