KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan women's basketball team dropped its final home game of the season to Mid-American Conference leaders Ball State, 55-45, at University Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Graduate student
Hannah Spitzley led the Broncos (11-6, 7-9 MAC) with 17 points and six rebounds, while
Alli Carlson had eight points and five rebounds. WMU was held to just 31 percent from the field (17-of-54), with Ball State being held to 41 percent (22-of-54). The Western Michigan defense held the Cardinals to two of their three lowest offensive outputs during conference play.
The first half was a defensive battle. Ball State led 8-4 after the first quarter and then held the Broncos to just six more points in the second to take a 23-10 lead at the half.
Western Michigan's offense came alive in the third quarter, hitting five three-pointers. The Cardinals were able to keep pace, with WMU only gaining one point on BSU's lead and heading into the fourth quarter down 40-28. The Broncos were able to get within eight after
Maggie Stutelberg hit a three and Spitzley made a pair of free throws to make it 50-42 with 3:08 left to play. The Cardinals responded with a 5-0 run to go up 55-42 before Carlson hit a three with seconds remaining.
The Broncos head on the road next week, traveling to Ohio on Wednesday and Buffalo on Saturday. Both games can be watched live on ESPN+ and heard live on the Bronco Media Network.
