BOX SCORE
KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan was led by Joe Reitz with a game-high 21 points and nine rebounds to defeat Bowling Green, 64-50, Saturday afternoon at University Arena in front of 4,116.
The Broncos (12-9, 6-2 MAC), who moved into a first place tie for the overall Mid-American Conference lead with Kent State's loss earlier in the day, started the game with a 14-3 run over Bowling Green (10-10, 5-3 MAC) including a dunk from Andrew Hershberger, an old fashioned three-point play from Reitz along with a pull up jumper by Andre Ricks with 14:23 to go in the game.
The Falcons returned with their own 9-0 run to bring the score within two points until Reitz was brought to the line shooting 2-for-2 to bring the lead back up to four points, 16-12, and the Falcons would never come closer the rest of the game, with 10:13 remaining the the half.
With a layup from Reitz and a fast break point from David Kool, the Broncos increased their lead back to eight, 20-12, with 8:47 to go. Before entering the locker room Reitz had a tip-in with 30 seconds left in the half, to seal a 13 point lead over the Falcons, 34-21.
The Broncos ripped down 18 total rebounds in the first half holding Bowling Green to grabbing only five defensively. Western Michigan was also able to add seven second chance points holding the Falcons to zero.
Western Michigan continued their momemtum heading back onto the court trading baskets until Derek Fracalossi connected on a shot behind the arc followed by a jumper from Martelle McLemore to send the Broncos up 21 with 13:21 remaining in the game, 49-28. With another good game for the Western Michigan defense, the Falcons were only able to add four points within 8:29 allowing the Broncos to increase their lead to 23 points with 6:27 remaining in the game, 56-33.
Bowling Green ended the game going on a 17-8 run but it was not enough to defeat the Mid-American Conference West Leaders, 64-50.
Ricks added 10 points with three rebounds followed by Kool with seven points and five rebounds.
Reitz moves up to fifth place in WMU career scoring with 1,560 points and takes 7th place in career fields goals made with 519.
Bowling Green was led by Chris Knight with 13 points and six rebounds and Brian Moten with 12 points and four rebounds.
Western Michigan takes on the Akron Zips at University Arena Wednesday, Feb. 6th at 7 p.m. and will be televised on Comcast Local.
