Tomorrow, BGSU women’s basketball (13-11, 6-6) battle the Western Michigan Broncos (10-13, 6-6) in a huge mid-week showdown.
Both teams enter tied for sixth place in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) standings and this game will give them separation from one another with five regular season games remaining.
These two teams met up earlier this season in the Stroh Center. In a back-and-forth game, WMU came out victorious, 63-60. BGSU still leads the overall series 43-37, including a 17-22 road record.
Join Falcon Media Sports Network’s Lucas Kleimeyer and Kaden Knapp on the call, starting at 6:45 for pregame and 7:00 p.m. for tipoff. You can catch all the action on WBGU 88.1 FM, the exclusive radio home of BGSU women’s basketball.
BOWLING GREEN
The Orange and Brown enter Wednesday’s contest winners of three of their last four MAC contests. Their one loss over that stretch came against Ball State in Muncie.
When BG met up against WMU 26 days ago, they dominated in the paint, outscoring the Broncos 42 to 22.
However, the Falcons went 27.8% from beyond the arc and 30% from the free-throw line.
Since that game, head coach Fred Chmiel has seemed to have found his perfect starting rotation and starting five.
Since re-entering the starting lineup five games ago, freshman Johnea Donahue has averaged 11 points per game, captured 18 rebounds, and recorded 14 steals.
On top of that, sophomore Paige Kohler averages nearly 20 points per contest during this five-game stretch.
The Falcons are a team that heavily relies on positive momentum, and they have built themselves that. With a huge rivalry game against Toledo looming soon, it is pivotal that BGSU defeats WMU to continue the positivity.
It’s safe to say that BG has adjusted a lot since their last matchup against the Broncos.
To beat them, they will need to hit their free throws, and three-pointers and turn this game into a shootout. Western Michigan has only won two MAC games when they’ve allowed more than 51 points.
WESTERN MICHIGAN
The Broncos are in dire need of a victory to keep themselves atop the MAC.
Since starting 5-2 in conference play, Western Michigan has lost four of their last five MAC games to drop their record to 6-6.
During this stretch, they’ve allowed an average of 67.8 points and scored 56.4.
Last time against BGSU, graduate student Hannah Spitzley’s second-half heroics helped lead them to victory.
She scored 18 points and went four of four total from three-point land in the second half after scoring zero through the first 20 minutes.
To beat Bowling Green, Western Michigan will need to keep the game low-scoring and outshoot BG from beyond the arc.
FALCON FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
Fifth-year guard #25 Lexi Fleming, Bowling Green
The Cincinnati native, Lexi Fleming, has been phenomenal as of late for the Orange and Brown. She has scored double digits in each of her last five MAC games. She also has been a steal and rebounding machine. Last time against WMU, Fleming had a chance to tie the game with a three late in the game, but couldn’t connect, so she will look to redeem herself in meeting number two.
Senior guard #1 Amy Velasco, Bowling Green
Velasco has been great at running the point all season long. She averages a team-high 15.4 points and 4.5 assists per game. On top of that, she also has excelled in the shooting percentage category. The 5’7 guard also scored 15 points against the Broncos and picked up a team-high four rebounds.
Graduate student guard #3 Hannah Spitzley, Western Michigan
As noted earlier, Spitzley had a huge second half last time against Bowling Green. As a graduate student, Spitzley has been through a lot and has invaluable experience playing in big games. Western Michigan will rely heavily on her to come out victorious.
Junior guard #12 Alli Carlson, Western Michigan
Carlson scored 11 points and picked up six rebounds in the Stroh Center 27 days ago. In a game where WMU prefers to be low-scoring Carlson’s defending of the Falcons’ frontcourt will be important. She is the type of player that can force her opposition into taking highly contested shots.
