DEKALB,  Ill. -- The Western Michigan University women's basketball team defeated Mid-American Conference foe Northern Illinois 61-57 behind a game-high 20 points from graduate student Hannah Spitzley and 14 points from junior Marina Asensio. With the win, the Broncos moved into a tie for second place in the MAC standings.  

During the first quarter Saturday, the Broncos found themselves in an eight-point deficit after scoring only five points over the opening eight minutes of the contest. Down 13-8, redshirt junior De'Ahna Richardson splashed a three-pointer to pull the Broncos within five with 1:36 remaining in the first. After conceding a three-pointer the following defensive possession, Asensio and Spitzley knocked down three-pointers over the span of 35 seconds to close the first on a 9-3 run to pull WMU within two points.  

Over the first two minutes of the second quarter, redshirt freshman Evyn Carrier took over, scoring five points over the span of 73 seconds to tie the game up single-handedly at 19 all. With 7:03 remaining in the half, NIU took a 23-19 lead. Carrier countered again, this time with a jumper to bring WMU within two points. Later in the second, Carrier split a pair of free throws to bring the Broncos within three with 3:08 to go in the first half. After a three-pointer by Spitzley, a layup from freshman Alli Harness, the women's basketball team entered halftime down by a single point at 30-29.

In the third quarter, both WMU and NIU scored 18 points each. After the Huskies opened the second half with a 7-2 run, Spitzley caught fire and splashed two three-pointers over a minute-and-a-half span to carry WMU within one point, just shy of four minutes remaining in the quarter. After a layup from Asensio, another three-pointer by Spitzley, and two free throws from Alli Carlson, the Broncos tied the match up at 47 all.

WMU shut down NIU's offense in the fourth quarter after limiting the Huskies to nine points and a field goal percentage of 30.77%. Overall, the Broncos would trail for a total of 25 seconds in the final frame. To begin the fourth, Carlson would score a layup, Asensio would swish a jumper, and convert on the and-one opportunity to propel WMU to a 52-48 lead within the opening 60 seconds of the frame. To extend WMU's lead, Stutelberg swished a three-pointer to improve the Broncos to a 55-50 advantage with 8:07 remaining. 

After keeping NIU at bay after locking up the Huskies over the next four minutes, Carlson scored a layup to improve the Bronco lead to 57-52. NIU would respond with a three-pointer to shrink the Bronco lead to two points with 40 seconds remaining in the contest. Despite NIU's comeback attempt, senior Lauren Audino scored a crucial layup with 10 seconds remaining in the contest to advance WMU's lead to four. After the Huskies scored a layup with three seconds remaining, Asensio was intentionally fouled. The guard would conclude the contest nailing both free throws to put WMU ahead by two possessions.

Historical Notes

The Brown and Gold have started MAC play 3-1 for the first time since the 2021-22 season and the second time since the 2019-20 season.

Head coach Shane Clipfell moved within one win from tying Fran Ebert (179 wins) for WMU's all-time wins record for the WMU women's basketball team. 

Tonight, Stutelberg passed Sarah Hurrle (2000-01) for the 21st most three-pointers made in program history. The redshirt junior guard has 77 three-pointers and counting on her career.

Spitzley's six three-pointers improved her career total to 105 career treys. The graduate student is tied with Curleta Harris (1999-03) for the 14th most three-pointers made in WMU women's basketball history. Additionally, after her two steals today, Spitzley moved within five swipes from passing Kina Brown (1992-95, 167 steals) for the 11th most steals by a Bronco.

Up Next 

The Brown and Gold will host the University of Toledo on Wednesday, January 15, at University Arena. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 PM.