WMU News

Broncos bow to DePaul, 69-64, in WNIT

March 15, 2000

KALAMAZOO -- The WMU women's basketball season ended Wednesday night (March 15) with a first-round loss, 69-64, to DePaul in the Women's National Invitation Tournament. The game was played at WMU's University Arena before a crowd of 2,172 fans.

DePaul, which led most of the evening, used superior bench strength to overcome a six-point Bronco lead with seven minutes remaining in the contest. DePaul used 10 players in the game, eight of whom played for nine minutes or more. WMU went with just six players throughout the contest, including sophomore guard Brianne Gallert, who played the entire 40 minutes.

With DePaul ahead, 51-47, Brianne scored four straight points, including two free throws, to give WMU a 52-51 lead. When senior Shelsea Erving connected for a 3-pointer, the Broncos had their biggest lead of the contest, 57-51, with seven minutes remaining. DePaul went on a 9-0 run to regain the lead (60-57), which it never relinquished again.

With the Broncos down by five points and just 50 seconds remaining to play, Erving converted a three-point play with a drive to the basket and a free throw to pull the Broncos to within two points, 64-62.

DePaul's Molly Watson converted two free throws with just 17 seconds remaining to return the margin to four points, 68-64, and DePaul went on to the 69-64 victory.

Lenas Williams led DePaul with 17 points for the evening.

Senior guard Dionne Lassila led the Broncos with 16 points, including two of WMU's three 3-point baskets. Rookie Kristin Koetsier had 15 points and nine rebounds. Erving had 12 points. Senior Danielle Mueller also had nine rebounds and added five points. Brianne Gallert scored nine points. Twin sister Brooke came off the bench for 36 minutes of action, scored seven points, and had a game-high seven assists.

Early in the second half of the contest, Kristin Koetsier established a new single season scoring record for Western Michigan University. She surpassed the previous record of 553 points for a season, set just one year ago by Shelsea Erving. Koetsier finished her rookie season with 559 points.

               1st   2nd   total
DePaul          33    36     69
WMU Broncos     27    37     64

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


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