BOX SCORE
QUOTES
KALAMAZOO -- A late second half surge by Central Michigan (11-18, 7-9) allowed the Chippewas to claw their way back from 14 points down and defeat the Broncos (10-20, 7-9), 71-68, on senior day at University Arena. Fortunately for the Broncos, Ball State dropped an overtime contest to Eastern Michigan, which means they finish the regular season as co-champions of the MAC West with CMU and Ball State. This season brings the Broncos their second straight MAC title and fourth in six years.
WMU junior David Kool finished with a game-high 21 points, all coming in the second half, and went 9-of-10 from the free throw line. Senior Andre Ricks highlighted the senior class on their day with 15 points and shot 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
Western Michigan held onto a 14-point lead with 12:11 left in the game, thanks in large part to an 11-4 run early in the half led by Kool and freshman Flenard Whitfield. But over the next nine minutes, the Chippewas outscored the Broncos 26-13 to cut the lead to just one point, 59-58, with three minutes remaining. During that nine-minute span, CMU guard Jordan Bitzer scored 14 of his 19 points and knocked down all three of his three-pointer baskets.
After a Martelle McLemore free throw made it 60-58 in favor of the Broncos, CMU took its first lead of the second half in the midst of a 7-0 run. Junior Robbie Harman hit a three-pointer with 1:49 left to put the Chippewas up three points, 63-60, and they would not surrender that three-point lead for the rest of the game.
The Broncos outscored the Chippewas in almost every facet of the game, including bench points (38-11), fast break points (14-2), and points off turnovers (16-9). WMU shot 42 percent from the floor (19-of-45), while CMU shot over 50 percent in the second half to up their game total to 43 percent (23-of-53).
The first half went back and fourth as there were six lead changes and three ties. The latest lead change of the half went in favor of the Broncos, as they finished the half on a 17-7 run to take a six-point lead, 29-23.
Central Michigan had four players score in double-digits, with Bitzer leading all scorers with 19 points. Marcus Van recorded a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
The Broncos head to the MAC tournament in Cleveland, Ohio for an opening round game Tuesday, March 10. All games are held at Quicken Loans Arena and the tournament is single elimination.
