Story Courtesy of Western Michigan Athletic Communications

DEKALB, Ill. – The Western Michigan women's basketball team defeated Northern Illinois University on the road 65-47 Wednesday afternoon. Graduate student Kaitlyn Zarycki led all players with 26 points, four assists, three steals, and one block in the victory for the Brown and Gold. Entering the afternoon matchup, Zarycki was ranked 38th in the NCAA in scoring, with 18.7 points per game.

During the first quarter Wednesday, the Brown and Gold were limited to 10 points after shooting a quarter low 25% from the field. Freshman Nile Muguira Orbe, senior Gabi Saxman, Zarycki, and redshirt sophomore De'Ahna Richardson combined for the Broncos 10 points.

In the second quarter, the Brown and Gold were able to space the floor by knocking down three triples over the span of two and a half minutes. The Broncos used the three triples to jump start an 11-2 scoring run leading into the final three minutes of the half. Zarycki would close out the second quarter with a layup and at the break, the Broncos would take a 25-23 lead over the Huskies.

The women's basketball team would carry momentum from their 11-2 run in the final minutes of the first half into the third quarter Wednesday. As a group, WMU outscored NIU by 10 and held the Huskies to under 10 points for a second consecutive quarter. On the defensive half of the court, Gabi Saxman collected one of her two steals, while Mugira Orbe swiped one for herself in the third quarter. Collectively, WMU would hold NIU to 25% from the field offensively for a second consecutive quarter. The defensive consistency allowed the Broncos to build a 12 point lead entering the fourth quarter. To transition to the fourth, the women's basketball team went on an 11- 4 run over the final 5:31 in the third to take a 43-31 lead into the final quarter.

The Broncos scored a game high 22 points in the fourth after shooting a quarter best 42.86% as a team. In the quarter, the Brown and Gold continued to attack and shot a team high 13 free throws in the final frame. During the final frame, the Broncos would lead by as many as 19 points and as few as 12. After NIU cut the Bronco lead to 50-38 with five minutes remaining, Zarycki, Muguira Orbe, and Richardson would close out the game swiftly, scoring a combined 13 points over the next three minutes to eliminate any possibility of a NIU comeback.