WMU Women’s Basketball Travels to Indiana for Midweek Showdown

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WMU Women’s Basketball Travels to Indiana for Midweek Showdown

The Western Michigan University women’s basketball team is set for a crucial midweek clash against Indiana in Bloomington. This matchup on the road comes after a hard-fought game in which WMU faced off against the Roosevelt Lakers, ending in a challenging 82-70 overtime loss.

Recent Performance and Challenges

In their latest outing, the Broncos, dealing with limited roster depth, managed to hold the lead for much of the game. However, fatigue set in during the final moments, allowing Roosevelt to seize the opportunity. Junior guard Nile Mugiera Orbe led Western Michigan with 17 points, including three three-pointers. Meanwhile, senior forward Ariana Wilkes made her mark defensively, achieving a career-high 15 rebounds.

Strength of Schedule

This season, the Broncos have faced a formidable schedule. According to the latest NET rankings, WMU sits at 242, improving from a finish of 259 last season. With two quadrant one and three quadrant two games under their belt, the team’s strength of schedule ranks 48th out of 359 Division I teams. This places them among the top 15% nationally in terms of difficulty.

Setting New Records

Ariana Wilkes’ impressive performance has set a notable precedent for the team. Her 15 rebounds mark the first time a Bronco has achieved such a feat since January 2023. In addition to Wilkes’ record-setting game, sophomore forward D’Myjah Bolds tallied a personal best of 15 points against Roosevelt, while redshirt senior De’Ahna Richardson and sophomore guard Kailey Starks also reached new scoring highs this season.

Series History with Indiana

Wednesday’s contest will mark the 14th encounter between Western Michigan and Indiana. The Hoosiers lead the series 9-4 since it began in 1973. Notably, the Broncos enjoyed a four-game winning streak from 1976 to 1980. In past seasons, the matches have taken place at Indiana’s Assembly Hall.

Last Encounter and Current Opponent Dynamics

The last meeting between the two teams was on December 19, 2021, where WMU fell to the then-ranked No. 10 Indiana with a score of 67-57. This time, Indiana holds a NET ranking of 47 and an overall record of 7-1, despite not being listed in the national polls. Their recent performance includes a loss to No. 10 Iowa State but victories over other competitive teams like Gonzaga and Florida State.

Key Players to Watch

Indiana’s roster features standout player Shay Ciezki, who averages an impressive 24.2 points per game, ranking as the fourth-best scorer nationally. Additionally, redshirt sophomore guard Lenée Beaumont contributes 15.1 points, while sophomore forward Zania Socka-Nguemen leads in rebounds with 9.0 boards per game.