ATHENS, Ohio – The Western Michigan University women's basketball team battled through illness in a 76-37 loss to the Ohio Bobcats.

The Broncos struggled with Ohio's 50% plus offense on Wednesday night. WMU did lead the game under the glass, outrebounding the Bobcats 39-32. Sophomore guard Kailey Starks had a team high 12 points for the Brown and Gold while senior forward Mary Clare Brusek had the second double figure outing of her career with 10.

Western Michigan took an early lead inside the Convocation Center. The Broncos led for the first minute and a half on Wednesday. But WMU's offense fell silent for two and a half minutes as Ohio took a nine-point lead. The Brown and Gold made two more layups in the quarter from forwards D'Myjah Bolds and Brusek. After 10 minutes of action, Western Michigan trailed 25-8.

The Broncos offense had a similar second quarter, scoring six points on two field goals and two free throws. WMU headed into the locker room down by 33 points in a 47-14 game. The Brown and Gold offense forced fouls from the Bobcats defense throughout the third quarter. In the first five minutes of the second half Western Michigan added three points at the line.

But it was the Broncos defense that had its best quarter, keeping Ohio scoreless for over five minutes in the third. While the defense locked down the Bobcats, WMU's offense went on a nine-point run. Going into the final quarter it was a 59-25 game.

The Brown and Gold's younger players got a chance to take the floor in the final ten minutes of action. Freshman guard Olivia Flynn added six points in 11 minutes of the second half. Western Michigan had a quick seven points to start the fourth. But Ohio matched with a six point run to extend its lead into the 30s. The Broncos added five more points before the final buzzer in the 76-37 defeat.

WMU will play its second game of the MAC-SBC Challenge this weekend at University Arena. The Brown and Gold return to Kalamazoo to take on the South Alabama Jaguars for the first time in program history. Western Michigan will be celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Saturday afternoon with a pre-game interactive exhibit, postgame autographs, and a special poster. Tip-off on Feb. 7 is set for 1:00 p.m.