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DETROIT, Mich. -- Western Michigan hit 6-of-6 free throws and made its only field goal attempt during the final 1:41 to hang on and defeat Detroit, 60-59, in front of 2,085 at Calihan Hall on Monday night.
The win was the first for the Broncos (3-2) at Detroit (1-2) since winning 80-65 on Dec. 28, 1974, a span of eight straight losses before tonight.
David Kool hit 4-of-4 free throws in the final 17 seconds to fend off the Titans and led WMU with 22 points. Joe Reitz hit two free throws with 1:41 remaining to give WMU the lead, 54-52, and then converted a layup with 58 seconds remaining to build the lead to four, 56-52, on his way to 14 points.
The Titans couldn't miss in the early going and eventually built a 12-point lead, 27-15, after a Woody Payne jumper with 8:00 remaining. The Broncos responded with a 9-0 run over 2:35 to pull back within three, 27-24, with 3:44 to go. Andre Ricks started the run with two free throws and ended it with a jumper, while Andrew Hershberger and Michael Redell hit a jumper and fast-break three-pointer in between.
Detroit scored twice to push the lead back to seven before Shawntes Gary buried a three-pointer at the buzzer to pull WMU within four, 32-28, at halftime.
The Broncos carried that momentum into the second half and quickly took the lead on a Gary layup and Kool three-pointer, 33-32, less than 90 seconds into the half. Jon Goode hit a jumper with 17:37 to go to briefly give the lead back to UDM. WMU answered right back with a 17-4 run to build its lead to 12, 50-38, with only 8:24 remaining.
Western Michigan maintained a 10-point lead, 52-42, after a pair of Kool free throws with 5:01 remaining, but those would be the only points for the Broncos during a 14-2 Detroit run the evened the score, 52-52, with 2:09 remaining on Chris Hayes' three-pointer. Reitz was then fouled on the next possession for WMU to set up the game's final moments.
Redell added six points, five assists and no turnovers for WMU and Derek Fracalossi led all players with five rebounds.
Goode led the Titans with 24 points.
Western Michigan plays its first home game of the 2007-08 campaign on Wednesday night against 2007 NCAA Tournament participant Davidson at 7 p.m. The Wildcats are No. 25 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Top 25, just outside the AP Top 25 and No. 4 in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25.
