KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Joe Reitz led all scorers with 16 points while Andrew Hershberger notched a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds as Western Michigan won its exhibition against Kalamazoo College, 79-63. The win marks the second year in a row the Broncos have opened the season with an exhibition victory against the Hornets.

Western Michigan took control of the game early by scoring the first 11 points before Kalamazoo College hit a free throw with 15:47 remaining in the first half. The Broncos continued to apply the pressure as the lead ballooned to 20 (23-3) less than eight minutes into the game on a three-pointer by freshman Donald Cloutier off an assist from freshman Shawntes Gary with 12:03 on the clock.

The Hornets cut the lead to 14, 39-25, with :46 left in the half, but WMU scored the final four points, including a putback by Hershberger that just beat the buzzer, to take a 43-25 advantage into the lockerroom. 

WMU opened the second half with a 17-4 run for its largest lead of the game, 60-29, with 14:48 left. The Hornets cut into the lead, but Western Michigan took a 31-point lead on two more occassions until Kalamazoo College went on a 10-2 run in the final 2:15 to account for the final margin.

"I thought we did some really good things today," third-year head coach Steve Hawkins said. "We had to have a reference point and that was what today was all about. When you play someone new you find out more about your execution level."

Brian Snider also finished in double figures for the Broncos with 13 points while Tim Herman led the Hornets with 13 points.

The Broncos are back in action for their regular-season opener November 19 in University Arena against Northwood.