KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team dropped its weekend matchup against the University of Toledo 84-69. Redshirt sophomore De'Ahna Richardson and freshman Nile Muguira Orbe led the Broncos after combining for 22 points while shooting 6-13 from the field as a duo from beyond the arch. 

During the first quarter of action Saturday, the Broncos and Rockets would battle for momentum: After falling behind 9-3 within the game's first three minutes, Hannah Spitzley and Richardson would knock down three-pointers to pull the Broncos within three points of UT. Over the next couple of minutes, Toledo would again increase their margin of lead, until Denali Craig-Edwards hit a three-pointer with under one minute to go in the first. Craig-Edwards triple brought the Brown and Gold within three points of UT, however, the Rockets would respond with a three of their own and concluded the quarter with a 22-16 lead over WMU.

The Broncos, entering the second behind by six, opened the quarter off of a layup by Kaitlyn Zarycki. The Rockets would then create another buffer against the Broncos with an 11-point lead with just over six minutes remaining in the half. Over the next two minutes, Muguira Orbe and Artemis Kouki exchanged three-pointers offensively and the duo was able to cut the Toledo lead to seven with under four and a half minutes remaining in the second. To close out the quarter, Megan Wagner and Richardson connected behind the three-point line to claw back within six points of the Rockets with 55 seconds remaining. Despite the ferocious run, at the half the Broncos faced a 45-34 deficit. 

After the break, the Brown and Gold were limited to 10 points in the third quarter. Jasmine Elder would make a free throw, and Gabi Saxman would score off of a layup mid-quarter. Richardson would make a layup, and Muguira Orbe would make two free throws and a three-pointer to round out the 10 points.  

During the fourth and final quarter, the Brown and Gold scored 25 points after making five three-pointers on a scorching 62.50% from distance over the final 10 minutes of play. During the final frame, the Broncos managed to outscore UT by 10 points after shooting 53.85% from the field and 62.50% from distance. During the quarter, Richardson, Saxman, Spitzley, Wagner, and Kaiden Glenn all connected from downtown for the Broncos.  

Historical Notes

Spitzley's two three-pointers allowed the senior to break her tie with Sarah Hurrle (2000-01) for possession of the 21st most threes made for the Brown and Gold. Spitzley, who improved her career total to 78 career treys, is now six three-pointers away from passing Jessica Jessing (2012-16) for the 20th most three-pointers made all-time for the Brown and Gold. 

As for Saxman, her two swipes today extended her career total to 124 steals. Saxman is now 13 swipes away from passing Michelle Fortier (1990-93) for the 18th most steals accumulated for the women's basketball program. 

Up Next

The Broncos will host Bowling Green at University Arena on Wednesday, March 6, at 7:00 PM. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.