The Bowling Green State University women’s basketball team is set to resume its season at home against Central Michigan University on Saturday, January 3, at the Stroh Center. The game marks the start of the 2026 portion of the schedule for the Falcons, who currently hold an 8-5 overall record and are 1-1 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play.
Head coach Fred Chmiel leads the Falcons as they look to rebound from a recent loss that ended their seven-game winning streak. The matchup with Central Michigan will be streamed on ESPN+, and audio coverage will be provided by Falcon Media Sports. Live statistics and additional information can be accessed through BGSUFalcons.com.
Bowling Green has established itself as one of the leading programs in the MAC. Entering this game, BGSU has achieved a 470-275 record in league regular-season games, which translates to a .631 winning percentage—the second highest among MAC institutions. The program also holds 15 MAC regular-season titles and 11 MAC Tournament titles, both among the top marks in conference history. The Falcons have maintained a winning record against all other teams in the league.
At home, Bowling Green has been strong this season with a perfect 6-0 record at the Stroh Center. Last season, they finished with an 11-2 home record, posting an .846 winning percentage—one of their best since moving into the facility in 2011.
Sophomore guard Johnea Donahue has played a significant role for BGSU this year. After returning from injury, she recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Kent State and was named MAC Player of the Week for her performance. Donahue is averaging 3.55 steals per game, leading the conference and ranking twelfth nationally. She is also among MAC leaders in several other categories including scoring, rebounds, assists, free-throw percentage, and assist/turnover ratio.
Junior Paige Kohler was selected to the Preseason All-MAC First Team by conference coaches. Kohler leads Bowling Green in scoring at 15 points per game and is ranked among conference leaders in assists and three-point shooting. She has started every game since joining BGSU and currently sits at thirty-fifth on the school’s career scoring list.
The team has used seven different starting lineups across thirteen games this season due to various factors including injuries. Ten players have started at least one game so far.
Other key contributors include junior Taya Ellis (second in blocked shots within the MAC), senior Emily Siesel (seventh in three-point field-goal percentage), redshirt junior Jasmine Fearne (tied for seventh in three-pointers per game), sophomore Lauren Gerken (third in blocked shots), junior Jaedyn Cook (tied for seventh in blocks per game), and senior Kaia Woods (eighth in free-throw percentage).
In their last outing on December 30, Bowling Green lost to Eastern Michigan by a score of 86-76 despite four players scoring double digits. The contest featured frequent lead changes before Eastern Michigan secured control midway through the third quarter.
Central Michigan enters Saturday’s matchup with a similar overall record of 7-5 (1-1 MAC). The Chippewas are led by Madi Morson (16.3 ppg) and Ayanna-Sarai Darrington (14.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg). Head coach Kristin Haynie returns nine letterwinners from last year’s squad.
Historically, Bowling Green leads Central Michigan in their all-time series with a record of 54-23 and has won each of their last six meetings.
After facing Central Michigan at home, Bowling Green will play its next two games on the road against Northern Illinois on January 10 and Western Michigan on January 14 before returning home to face Miami on January 17.
For further updates or information about Bowling Green women’s basketball, fans can follow official social media accounts or visit BGSUFalcons.com.
