KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan men's basketball team continued its impressive play at home, holding off Kent State for a 92-88 victory Saturday. After opening Mid-American Conference play with two road losses, the Broncos have rebounded to post back-to-back home wins this week. WMU defeated Toledo on Tuesday, 90-74.
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The Broncos have been clicking on all cylinders offensively the last two games. Senior
Tucker Haymond provided the big spark on Saturday, scoring a career-high 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting with four 3-pointers. Haymond also made a pair of critical free throws with 23 seconds remaining to extend a two-point Bronco advantage to four.
"Tucker is a senior and he is playing like a senior," said WMU head coach
Steve Hawkins. "There are so many other things he does away from the ball and defensively that make us so much better. There is a comfort level with him on the floor."
Junior
Thomas Wilder and freshman
Reggie Jones also took their turns being playmakers. Wilder's final stat line was 24 points, six assists, four rebounds, two steals and just one turnover. Jones had 15 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals.
Western Michigan led by 11 with 6:32 left to play and the Golden Flashes did everything they could to try to pull off a comeback. Kent State hit three 3-pointers over the next two minutes to cut WMU's lead to two. Jones stopped the bleeding for WMU, stepping up to hit a three of his own that pushed WMU's lead back up to five and disrupted Kent State's momentum.
Sophomore center
Seth Dugan had a solid game in the paint, battling against KSU First Team All-MAC selection Jimmy Hall. Dugan played 19 minutes and recorded 11 points and four rebounds.
"Seth is happy, he's upbeat and he is playing free and playing loose," Hawkins said. "He's been huge for us, great defensively. He and Drake (LaMont) both were really helping out on ball screens and staying between the guard and the basket.
"That is a talented team," Hawkins said referring to Kent State. "They shot the ball better tonight better than they normally shoot it. They had guys knocking down shots we had to make adjustments on."
Kent State only missed six shots in the second half and had a 62.3 field goal percentage for the game. The Golden Flashes were 13 for 17 at the free throw line.
Western Michigan shot 54 percent for the game and went 15 for 23 from the line. Both teams made nine 3-pointers.
Hall led the Flashes with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Jaylin Walker scored 15 points in the first half and finished with 17. Deon Edwin was 5-for-5 with three 3's for 16 points.
Kent State outrebounded WMU by two, 26-24, but the Broncos held a 10-4 advantage on the offensive glass. WMU was able to outscore KSU in second-chance points, 12-5.
Western Michigan improved to 6-1 at University Arena this season. The only loss came to defending Colonial Athletic Association champion UNCW on Nov. 30 by a narrow 97-92 margin. UNCW has gone on to a 17-2 record this season and is again leading the CAA.
The Broncos' record stands at 6-10 overall and 2-2 in the MAC. Kent State fell to 9-8 and 1-3 in league play. WMU is on the road for its next two games, heading to Eastern Michigan Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tipoff against the Eagles. The Broncos take on Buffalo in New York on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
