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Western Michigan University Athletics

WMU vs BGSU
Ashley Blanchard, WMU Photographer
87
Winner Bowling Green BGSU 16-12,10-7 MAC
73
Western Mich. WMU 12-16,7-10 MAC
Winner
Bowling Green BGSU
16-12,10-7 MAC
87
Final
73
Western Mich. WMU
12-16,7-10 MAC
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Bowling Green BGSU 28 24 20 15 87
Western Mich. WMU 15 12 20 26 73

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Women’s Hoops Clinches MAC Tournament Berth Ahead of Season Finale

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team lost to Bowling Green 87-73 Wednesday evening despite a combined 52 points from Kaitlyn Zarycki, Hannah Spitzley, and De'Ahna Richardson. 

In the first quarter of play, the Broncos shot 38.46% as a team from the field and were limited to 15 points. To kickstart the Bronco offense, Megan Wagner and Spitzley would hit three pointers for the Broncos to remain within striking distance of Bowling Green. With five and a half minutes remaining in the first, Zarycki would lay in a bucket and bring the Broncos within six points. Eventually, Bowling Green would try to pull away again, and in response, Gabi Saxman and Zarycki would score an efficient four points over the following 30 seconds to put the Broncos within six points. Despite the efforts from the duo, the Falcons would outscore the Broncos 10-3 over the final 2:47 of the quarter.

During the second quarter, the Broncos were held to 12 points. In the frame, Zarycki led the Broncos with a team high five points in the quarter. After Bowling Green opened the quarter with a bucket, Zarycki would drill a three pointer off an assisting Saxman to pull within 12 points of the Falcons. However, to close out the quarter, Bowling Green would create a 21-8 advantage to create a substantial lead. At the half, the Broncos trailed BGSU 52-27.

Exiting the break, WMU bounced back and scored 20 points in the third quarter against Bowling Green. During the quarter, Spitzley made two three pointers enroute to scoring eight points in the quarter.  Over her past four games, Spitzley has increased her three point production by averaging 2.25 threes per contest, while shooting at a blistering 41% from range. After a personal 7-0 run by Zarycki, the Broncos were able to cut the deficit down to 16 with four and a half minutes remaining in the quarter. With 2:13 remaining in the quarter, Spitzley scored her second and final three pointer of the third off an assist from Zarycki. 

The Brown and Gold scored a team best 26 points during the fourth Wednesday after making a quarter high four three pointers as a team off of seven attempts. After a three pointer from Nile Muguria Orbe, the Brown and Gold managed to cut the Bowling Green lead to 12 points with four and a half minutes remaining in regulation. Despite the comeback effort, WMU was limited to seven points over the final four and a half minutes of regulation. 

MAC Tournament Implications 

Based on tonight's results in the Mid-American-Conference landscape, the Broncos will end their one year hiatus from the MAC Tournament after clinching a postseason berth and will return to Cleveland for the first time since the 2021-22 season.  

Historical Notes

Spitzley's three treys Wednesday evening improved her career total to 81 three pointers made. The senior from Westphalia, Michigan is now three buckets away from passing Jessica Jessing (2012-16) to claim sole possession of the 20th most three pointers made in a Bronco uniform. 

For Saxman, her two steals propelled her to 126 swipes on her career. She is now 11 steals away from passing Michelle Fortier (1990-93) for the 18th most steals created in WMU women's basketball program history. 

As of Wednesday evening Zarycki owns the title for the 14th most points scored among all active players across NCAA Division I-III levels of women's college basketball. With Zarycki's flawless ability to score, she has been able to chip away at the single season record books during the 2023-24 campaign in a variety of offensive statistical categories. On Wednesday, she passed Kina Brown (1992) for the seventh most single season points scored for the women's basketball team after reaching 520 points on the year. Zarycki is now 19 points from passing Shannon Pickell (538 points in 1988) and is 20 points away from claiming the fifth most points scored for WMU during a single campaign (passing Breanna Mobley 2017-18, 539 points).

Up Next

The Brown and Gold will host Northern Illinois University on Saturday, March 9, for Senior Day prior to the start of MAC Tournament action. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with tip-off scheduled for 1:00 PM. 
 
 
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