KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team returns to University Arena for its National Girls & Women In Sports Day contest against Appalachian State on Saturday, February 11. NGWSD events will start at 12:30 PM and tip-off is slated at 2:00 PM. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and tickets are $3.

Last time out, the Broncos were defeated by Kent State on the road 70-57. De'Ahna Richardson led the Brown and Gold with a career-high 16 points and four steals after shooting a blistering 50% from downtown. During the contest, Kaitlyn Zarycki moved within 10 points of passing 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 climbed within 16 steals of passing Abby Voss (55 steals in 2022-23) to enter inside the program's single-season top 24 steals threshold. Zarycki's teammate Hannah Spitzley also moved within eight threes of surpassing Sarah Hurrle (2000-01) for the 21st most threes made all-time in program history after knocking down a three pointer Wednesday. Spitzley is closing in on the single-season record books in three pointers made 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. 

The Brown and Gold are looking to win their fifth game in seven contests overall Saturday, when hosting App State, to climb within one game of the .500 mark on the season. In order to do so, they must lock down senior Faith Alston (18.7 ppg) and junior Emily Carver (14.2 ppg). Over App State's last three outings, Alston is averaging 19.3 ppg, while shooting 45.9% from the field. As for Carver, she has seen a scoring production of 14.3 ppg, off an efficient 50% from the field and 44.4% from distance, while also averaging four assists per contest. App State has won two straight games overall to bring their record to 12-11 on the season. 

MAC Tournament Outlook
 
Entering the weekend matchup, the women's basketball team sits 1.5 games back for a share of the fifth seed with Bowling Green. After their game against App State, the Brown and Gold  have eight MAC games remaining left in the regular season. 


NGWSD At University Arena 

Tomorrow, members of various Bronco women's sports teams will be in attendance, ranging from women's track, cheer, and dance teams, to the 2023 MAC champion soccer & volleyball squads. WMU will offer interactive stations where youth participants will have the opportunity to learn about each sport. 

Fans will have the opportunity to claim a National Girls & Women's Sports Day bracelet located at the marketing table. 

Additionally, a face painting station for fans will be available at section 110. 

After the conclusion of the game against Appalachian State, the women's basketball team will be available for post game player autographs.

For tickets click the link here.

For all things WMU women's basketball make sure to follow the team on Instagram @wmu_wbb, Twitter @wmu_wbb, and Facebook @westernmichiganwomensbasktball.