KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan women's basketball team will be tested for the first time this season Sunday, when the Broncos host NAIA opponent Davenport in their first exhibition outing. Game time is set for 2 p.m. at University Arena.
Sunday's exhibition contest is one of two preseason tune-ups for the Brown & Gold, which also will host Division III Olivet on Monday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
The Broncos return 10 of their 14 letterwinners from a year ago, losing just two to graduation. Six of those returning 10 averaged eight points or more a game in 2007-08. WMU adds four new faces in freshmen
Ryann Fletcher,
Jazzmyn Harvey and twins Miame and
Robin Giden. At the helm of the Bronco program is first-year head coach
Tasha McDowell.
Davenport is ranked No. 15 in the NAIA preseason poll after finishing sixth in the country last year with an overall record of 28-6. DU is fresh off its second-straight Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Championship and first ever appearance in the Sweet 16.
This is the second year in a row Western Michigan faces Davenport in preseason play. Last season the Broncos took down the Panthers, 97-69, in their only exhibition game. Every Bronco scored in that contest, led by a 22-point effort in 21 minutes from
Brenna Banktson and double-doubles by
Ebony Cleary (15 points, 12 rebounds) and
Tiera DeLaHoussaye (10 points, 11 assists).
Western Michigan opens its 29-game regular season slate on the road at Saint Louis on Nov. 16. The Broncos have 11 home games scheduled for 2008-09, starting with back-to-back games against NCAA Sweet 16 participant Pitt (Nov. 20) and WNIT Champion Marquette (Nov. 23).
Bronco fans have an opportunity to take advantage of WMU's “The Big Ticket” promotion which includes four general admission tickets to the Pitt game AS WELL AS four general admission tickets to the Marquette game for $20. The Big Ticket package, as well as women's basketball season tickets, can be purchased online at wmubroncos.com, or by calling the WMU Ticket Office at (269) 387-8092.
