KALAMAZOO, Mich. – In an electric atmosphere on Tuesday night inside University Arena, Western Michigan men's basketball fought to the finish but fell just short of an upset with an 88-79 loss to No.16 Buffalo.

Despite the outcome the Broncos had four score in double figures for the third straight game with senior Josh Davis leading all scorers with a season-high 24 points. Davis shot a staggering 10-of-16 from the field while registering six rebounds and four assists.

Fellow senior Seth Dugan nearly had his second straight double-double performance with 15 points and eight rebounds to go along with three assists in 34 minutes played. Dugan has now played over 30 minutes in each of the past six games.

Freshman Patrick Emilien off the bench had a career night against the nationally ranked Bulls, recording career-highs in points (12), blocks (2) and steals (2). Emilien earned half of his points from the free-throw line (6-of-8) and knocked down two three-pointers.

Rounding out the double digit scoring was sophomore Michael Flowers with 10 points, marking the 11^th straight game the Southfield, Mich., native has scored in double figures. Junior Jared Printy was 1-of-7 from three with five points and extended his streak to 19 straight regular season games with at least one three-pointer.

The Broncos as a team outshot the Bulls, shooting 49.1 percent from the field compared to Buffalo's, 45.6 percent. However, the Brown & Gold were outrebounded, 39-33 including 13-6 on the offensive glass. Buffalo's bench proved to be a difference maker as well outscoring the Bronco bench, 32-19.

It's the second time this season the Broncos have fell by single digits to a nationally ranked opponent, losing to then No.5 Michigan by just eight points back on Dec. 15.  With the loss, WMU's overall record drops to 6-11 and 0-3 in Mid-American Conference play.

WMU is on the road for its next two games beginning on Saturday, Jan. 19 at Bowling Green followed by at Ohio on Tuesday, Jan. 22. The Broncos return home on Saturday, Jan. 26 against in-state rival Eastern Michigan.

The Broncos got off to a roaring start making three straight field goals to grab a 9-6 lead at the first media timeout. Buffalo responded to the fast start, making five of its next seven field goals to earn a 13-11 lead.

Buffalo extended its lead to 20-15 at the 11-minute mark before WMU embarked on an 18-2 run over the next five minutes of play to earn its largest lead of the game at 33-22 with 6:36 left. During the run the Bronco defense forced Buffalo to commit six turnovers and held the Bulls to just 1-of-7 shooting from the field.

Out of a media timeout the Bulls rallied back with a 9-2 run and closed their deficit down to three with three minutes to play in the first. Ultimately, Buffalo used a 21-6 run during the final five minutes of play to take a 43-39 lead into halftime.  

The Bulls continued their run into the second half and held a 52-44 lead at the 18-minute mark prior to Flowers scoring six straight points to get the Broncos to within two. After trading baskets, WMU made four of its next six field goals to tie the game at 62-62 with 11:31 remaining.

At the eight-minute mark of the second half the Bulls extended their lead back to eight once again after embarking on an 8-0 run to gain a 76-68 advantage. However, the Broncos continued to fight and made five of their next seven field goals to trail by two with five minutes to play.

After a lay-up by Seth Dugan with 1:49 left the Bronco deficit was four before Buffalo's CJ Massinburg connected on his second three-pointer of the night to propel the Bulls lead to 86-79. Down the stretch the Buffalo defense forced WMU to miss its final three shots as the Bulls earned their 16^th win of the season.

No.16 Buffalo had four players score in double figures with Jeremy Harris leading the way with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Buffalo's leading scorer CJ Massinburg was held to just 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the field.