KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan University women's basketball team lost to Mid-American Conference foe Miami University (Ohio) 57-51 Saturday. In the loss, junior Marina Asensio scored a team-high 16 points, while graduate student Hannah Spitzley tied a game-high with seven rebounds. 

In the opening frame, despite making only three field goals, WMU capitalized on a 7-9 display from the free throw line to take a 14-11 advantage over the RedHawks. During the quarter, the women's basketball team would lead by as many as five points, after Asensio made back-to-back free throws with 1:04 remaining in the first.

The Brown and Gold responded in the second quarter and shot 54.55% from the field.  After WMU watched their lead shrink to a single point, Spitzley knocked down a three-pointer, and freshman Sarah Rekowski made a layup after a RedHawk turnover to build a six-point advantage. Despite the buffer, Miami closed out the first half on a 7-3 run to cut the Broncos lead to 32-30. After Miami took the lead with half a minute to spare, junior Alli Carlson would be the halftime buzzer with a three-pointer to send the Broncos into the break with a 32-30 advantage.  

In the third quarter, the Broncos would lead by as many as six points, after capitalizing on a 8-2 run. After Miami tied the game up at 39-39 with 5:27 remaining in the third, a layup from graduate student Megan Wagner, and three-pointers from redshirt junior Maggie Stutelberg and Asensio, the Broncos built a six-point lead over their MAC foes. Despite the lead, Miami limited WMU to 0 points over the final 2:48 of the third. The women's basketball team entered the fourth facing a two-point deficit.

Despite limiting the RedHawks to 12 points, the Broncos were limited to four points in the final quarter on Saturday. With just over five minutes remaining in regulation, Carlson knocked down a jumper to propel the Brown and Gold to a one-point advantage. Later, Spitzley tied the game up at 52 all with 1:36 remaining in the contest off of a layup. However, Miami concluded the final minute and a half with a 6-0 run to win Saturday.

Historical Notes 

Today, Spitzley improved her career three-point total to 97, her steals total to 159, and her blocks total to 54. The graduate student is now tied with both Kamrin Reed (2016-20) for the 17th most three-pointers made in program history, and Meredith (Shipman) Applin (2013-17) for the 13th most steals by a Bronco. Additionally, Spitzley moved within 12 blocks from tying Amanda Parker (2004-08) for the 10th most blocks recorded by a Bronco in program history. 

Up Next 

The Brown and Gold will host Ohio University on Wednesday, January 8, at 7:00 PM.