Four women ended Wednesday night’s game against Western Michigan University in double figures in a dominating 80-55 win at the Beeghly Center.
It was the women’s basketball teams’ first home win and fourth overall of the season. It was also the first time they beat a team by more than 20 since Nov. 21, 2006.
Redshirt freshman forward Heidi Schlegel led the Penguins in scoring with 15 points, hitting three of four shots from behind the three-point line.
Senior guard Maria Iaquaniello led the Broncos, who have yet to win a game this season. She posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Schlegel said the team is starting to gel and it is starting to show.
“We played as a team, which is really exciting,” Schlegel said. “We are not playing as individuals, and we are focused on playing as a team.”
Freshman guard Kelsea Fickiesen and junior forward Brandi Brown each scored 12 points. Senior guard Macey Nortey chipped in with 11. Brown also had a game high 14 rebounds.
Brown only scored two points in the first half and head coach Bob Boldon said it showed the Penguins have depth.
“You know last year we went as Brandi went for a large portion of the year,” Boldon said. “And towards the end we started playing better basketball, and when we played better basketball we played more balance basketball.”
The Penguins bench scored 30 points in the game, something Boldon expects from his bench.
“I have been real happy with our bench all year,” Boldon said. “We have moved some players in and out of the starting lineup, and we have had starters play less minutes than kids off the bench.”
Schlegel said a win over a Mid American Conference team by more than 20 points shows the progress this team is making.
“It’s awesome,” Schlegel said. “It is a great feeling. The MAC is a really strong conference, so it is really exciting that we can beat them by 20 and do it as a team.”
The Penguins next game is at home against Bowling Green State University on Tuesday. Tipoff is set for 5:15 p.m.
