WMU News

MAC undefeated Broncos host Kent

Jan. 20, 2000

KALAMAZOO -- In what may be a preview of this season's MAC championship game, the WMU women's basketball team, leaders of the MAC West Division, host East-leading Kent at University Arena beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22. The Broncos are undefeated, 4-0, on their home court this season.

Kent won the Mid-American Conference regular season title in 1998, finished second in 1999 with a conference record of 14-2, and has a 6-0 record in the MAC this season. Kent's Dawn Zerman (18.9 points per game) is the second leading scorer in the conference behind WMU rookie sensation Kristin Koetsier, who is averaging more than 21 points per game.

The Kent Golden Flashes won both meetings of the two teams in 1998-99. Kent won 73-66 at WMU during the regular season, and eliminated the Broncos in the MAC Tournament semi-finals by a score of 60-50.

The Broncos improved to 5-0 in the MAC with a 21-point victory at Bowling Green on Thursday (Jan. 20). Senior Shelsea Erving, the Broncos' third all-time leading scorer, and rookie Koetsier combined for 52 points in the 88-67 win.

WMU extended its winning streak to six straight and improved to 8-7 overall. The Broncos are off to their best start in MAC competition since the 1986-87 team, which also won its first five MAC contests.

Koetsier (COAT-sea-air) scored 30 points in the win at BGSU, one point shy of her career high. She was 11 of 18 from the field and grabbed 12 rebounds. Senior Danielle Mueller also had 12 rebounds and earned her third double-double of the season, contributing 14 points. In the past three games, Mueller has been steady, scoring in double figures in each contest and averaging 10 rebounds per game.

Erving had 22 points at Bowling Green and now needs only 54 more to move into second place on the Bronco all-time career scoring list. WMU got its second consecutive strong game from senior Dionne Lassila, who contributed nine points off the bench in just 13 minutes of action. Sophomore twin guards Brooke and Brianne Gallert combined for 16 assists and did not commit a single turnover at BGSU.

Media contact: Geoff Brown; 616 387-4138; geoffrey.brown@wmich.edu


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