Defense led to offense for Bowling Green on Saturday as the Bowling Green women’s basketball team defeated Western Michigan in Kalamazoo, 65-53.

Western Michigan started the game off very sloppy, turning the basketball over 10 times. However, the Falcons just could not get the ball in the basket, shooting below 33% in the first half. 

At the half, BG trailed WMU by five, and at one point in the third quarter, the deficit was as much as 14. 

But then head coach Robyn Fralick decided to implement small-ball and put on a full-court press.

Turns out, she was right.

Bowling Green’s defense forced 29 total turnovers, with the team forcing 20 steals, one shy of the single-game school record. 

In the second half, BG put up 18 points in the third quarter and 23 points in the final quarter, which led them to win the game in comeback fashion, 65-53.

Elissa Brett led the way in scoring with 27 points, 18 of those being in the second half. This was the most points in a game scored for her career.  

Amy Velasco added 16 points on seven field goals, leading the team with a +24 plus/minus rating.

Lexi Fleming was Ms. Do-Everything, finishing the day with five points, nine rebounds, three steals and two assists. 

Nyla Hampton and Jocelyn Tate both had seven steals each, with Tate scoring about eight points during the game. This was also the first time in school history that two Falcons had seven or more steals in the same game.

With a loss from Ball State at Northern Illinois hours afterwards, Bowling Green’s win has tied them with Toledo and Ball State in first place in the Mid-American Conference standings.  

BG travels back up north on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. for a matchup with the Central Michigan Chippewas in Mt. Pleasant.

For more information about the team, visit the athletics webpage.