BOX SCORE

KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan fought past NCAA Division III opponent Kalamazoo College, 57-37, in an exhibition contest in front of 2,236 fans at University Arena Thursday night.

Juniors David Kool and Martelle McLemore led the Bronco scoring attack with 15 points and 10 points, respectively. McLemore also chipped in with seven rebounds and two three-pointers. Kool led WMU from behind the arc, going 3-of-7 from three-point land.

Senior Derek Drews and freshman Flenard Whitfield both added eight points for the Broncos, and in his first collegiate game Whitfield led his team with nine rebounds. Junior Donald Lawson was the bright spot of the Bronco defense as he recorded five blocks on the night. In less than two minutes, Lawson threw three Hornet shots into the front row of University Arena.

Eight Hornet turnovers and a 10-0 run by the Brown & Gold mid-way through the first half helped the Broncos jump out to a 17-point lead, 32-15, with five minutes left in the first half.

The Broncos turned the ball over eight times as well in the first 20 minutes, which helped lead to a late 5-1 Hornet run at the end of the half cutting the Broncos' lead to 13 points, 33-20, at halftime.

The Brown & Gold maintained a steady 15-point lead throughout the second half and proved to be too much for K-College. The Hornets kept shooting, but were only able to make two of their nine three-pointers attempted and shot just 25% from the floor in the second half.

Both teams turned the ball over a considerable amount, with K-College giving it up 20 times and WMU 17. With all the turnovers, it came down to who could shoot the best, with the Broncos coming out on top. WMU made 38% of its shots, going 22-for-65, while the Hornets only sank 14 of their 55 shots.

The Broncos played with a won't quit attitude as they out rebounded K-College 51 to 39, and out hustled the Hornets for 22 second chance points, compared to just eight for KC.

Senior Nate Orozco and sophomore Ronald Wilson led the Hornets with eight points each.

The Broncos will open the regular season next weekend at the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C. WMU first takes to the court Friday, Nov. 14 against Texas Christian University at 12:30 pm.