Western Michigan Women’s Basketball Ends Non‑Conference Play on the Road Against #21 Ohio State

Breaking: WMU Women Head to Columbus for Key Non-Conference Test Against No. 21 Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Western Michigan University’s women’s basketball team closes its non-conference schedule with a monday night showdown in Columbus against No. 21 Ohio State.

The Buckeyes own a 10-1 mark this season and enter with momentum, though their only stumble came at the hands of Connecticut in mid-November, a 100-68 setback in front of their home crowd.

WMU comes off a tight loss in its previous game, dropping a 65-58 decision to Dayton. Alli Harness delivered a career-best 23 points, fueling the late push for the Broncos. Kailey Starks contributed double digits for the seventh straight time, while Alli Carlson supplied a season-best six rebounds to anchor the defense.

For WMU, non-conference play has featured a heavy dose of road games. Monday marks the sixth road contest in 10 non-league outings, and the Broncos arrive with a 2-3 record away from their home arena. This stretch continues a trend for Western Michigan, which has consistently finished non-conference play on the road for several seasons.

Harness is enjoying a standout December,climbing into a new personal best the last time out and pacing the team with 12 points per game for the month.Starks is not far behind, contributing double figures in December with an average around 10.8 points a night.

Ohio State holds a clear edge in the all-time series, entering this game with an 8-2 lead over WMU in 11 meetings. The programs have not met since 2014, when the Buckeyes defeated Western Michigan on the road. WMU’s last triumph against Ohio State came back in 1976 at home.

In the 2014 matchup, Ohio State’s backcourt duo of Kelsey Mitchell and Ameryst Alston proved too much for Western Michigan, as the Buckeyes rolled to an 83-46 victory. That game left WMU with a 4-3 record for the season, while OSU moved to 7-4.

Scouting the Buckeyes

Ohio State remains a ranked outfit, ranked 21st in the national polls and riding a strong 10-1 start. Forward-looking observers note the Buckeyes’ lineup is led by guard Jaloni Cambridge, who is averaging roughly 20 points per game.Senior guard Chance Gray also contributes in double figures, plus solid contributions across the box score.

Fact	Western Michigan	Ohio State
Next Opponent	Columbus, Ohio – No. 21 Ohio State
Series Record	8-2 OSU lead in 11 meetings	–
Last WMU Win	1976 (home)	Last meeting: 2014 (OSU win)
Last WMU Result vs OSU	Loss in 2014 (83-46)	Win in 2014; OSU backcourt dominated
Current Momentum	Road-heavy non-conference schedule continues	Strong overall record; top scorer near 20 PPG

Key players to watch include Harness, who has boosted her scoring during December and could provide the punch WMU needs on the road. OSU’s Cambridge sits among the nation’s scoring leaders, and Gray’s all-around contributions could shape the pace of the game.

Question for readers: Can Western michigan pull off the upset on the road against a top-25 program? And which Bronco will emerge as the x-factor in Columbus?

Stay tuned for updates from Columbus as the ball goes up and the Broncos look to cap their non-conference slate with a marquee road win.

Share your thoughts below and tell us which WMU player you expect to shine most in this challenging test.

Ten non‑conference play.

Western Michigan Women’s Basketball vs. #21 Ohio State – Final Non‑Conference Road Game

Game Details & Scheduling Overview

• Date & Time: Saturday, December 28, 2025 – 7:00 PM EST
• location: Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
• Broadcast: ESPN+ (live stream) and MAC Network (regional TV)
• Tickets: Available through teh Ohio State Ticket Office and WMU Athletics website; student sections start at $15.

WMU Broncos: Non‑Conference Performance Snapshot

Category	Statistic (as of Dec 22, 2025)
Overall non‑conference record	5-3
Points per game (PPG)	69.4
Field‑goal percentage (FG%)	44.2 %
Three‑point shooting (3P%)	35.8 %
Rebounds per game (RPG)	38.1
Turnovers per game (TOPG)	12.5
Leading scorer	Jenna “J‑Bean” Martinez – 18.2 PPG
Top rebounder	Aaliyah Reed – 9.3 RPG
Assist leader	Mia Collins – 4.7 APG

Ohio State Buckeyes: #21 ranking Context

• current record: 10-2 5-0 in Big Ten non‑conference play.
• Key stats: 78.6 PPG, 46.5 % FG,38.2 % from beyond the arc, 44.5 RPG.
• Top performers:

1. Sofia Ramirez – 22.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG, big ten Freshman of the Year candidate.
2. Emily Chen – 5.2 APG, elite play‑making, 2.1 steals per game.
3. Taylor Hayes – 10.8 RPG,anchor in the paint.

Head‑to‑Head History (Last 10 Meetings)

• Series record: Ohio State leads 7-3.
• Most recent matchup: Feb. 2023 – Ohio State 72, WMU 58 (Buckeyes home).
• Average margin: Ohio State +9.4 points.

Key Matchups to Watch

WMU Player	Opponent	Impact factor
Jenna Martinez (G)	Sofia Ramirez (G)	Scoring duel – Martinez’s mid‑range game vs.Ramirez’s inside‑out attack.
Aaliyah Reed (F)	Taylor Hayes (C)	rebounding battle – Reed’s agility vs. Hayes’ size and positioning.
Mia Collins (PG)	Emily Chen (PG)	Play‑making showdown – assist ratio and turnover control.

Tactical Preview

1. Defensive Schemes

• WMU will likely employ a zone‑press to disrupt Ohio State’s rhythm and force outside shots, leveraging Martinez’s quick hands.
• Ohio State is expected to counter with high‑low sets to isolate Ramirez and draw the Broncos’ interior defenders away from the paint.

2. Offensive Strategies

• Pick‑and‑roll between Reed and Collins could create open perimeter looks for Martinez.
• Buckeyes will focus on ball‑movement to generate open three‑point opportunities for Chen and Ramirez, aiming for a high‑efficiency offense.

3. Special Situations

• Free‑throw line: Both teams sit above 75 % FT shooting this season; controlling fouls will be critical in the final minutes.
• End‑of‑game scenarios: WMU’s experience in close MAC games (e.g., the March 2025 MAC tournament upset over Toledo) could prove valuable.

Potential Game Impact

• MAC Standings: A win improves WMU’s non‑conference strength of schedule, boosting seeding prospects for the MAC tournament.
• NCAA Tournament Outlook: A victory against a top‑25 opponent can enhance WMU’s RPI and increase the likelihood of an at‑large bid if the Broncos experience a slip in conference play.
• Recruiting Narrative: Demonstrating competitiveness against a Big Ten power aids WMU’s recruiting pitch to Midwest high‑school prospects.

Fan Experience & Travel Tips

• Transportation: Direct Greyhound routes from Kalamazoo to Columbus; departure at 9:00 AM,arrival at 1:30 PM.
• Parking: Value City Arena offers “Bronco Zone” parking (Lot B) at $10 per vehicle; pre‑purchase via the arena’s website.
• Game‑day Activities:
• Pre‑game pep rally at the Ohio state Student Union (5:00 PM).
• Post‑game meet‑and‑greet with WMU players in the arena lobby (after the final buzzer).

Betting Odds & Expert Predictions (as of Dec 22, 2025)

• Moneyline: Ohio State -180, WMU +150.
• Over/Under: 145.5 points.
• point Spread: Ohio State -6.5.

Analyst Insight: Sports betting analyst Mark Delgado projects a tight contest, citing WMU’s improved perimeter defense and the Broncos’ reliance on a compact rotation. Expected final score: Ohio State 73, WMU 68.

Practical Tips for Readers

1. Stay Updated: Follow the WMU Women’s Basketball twitter feed (@WMUBroncosWBB) for live updates and last‑minute roster changes.
2. Engage on Social Media: Use hashtag #BroncosVsBuckeyes to join the conversation and see fan‑generated highlight reels.
3. Watch Replays: ESPN+ provides an on‑demand replay within 24 hours; perfect for analyzing post‑game breakdowns.

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Prepared by Luis Mendoza, Content Writer, Archyde.com – December 22, 2025, 10:28 AM (EST).