KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's basketball team fell, 71-60, in a non-conference matchup against Valparaiso on Sunday afternoon at University Arena.
 
Three players scored in double-figures for Western Michigan (3-5), led by Lamar Norman Jr.'s 13 points. Mileek McMillan added a season-high 12 points, while Gus Etchison chipped in a career-high 11 points. Mack Smith grabbed a team-high nine rebounds in the contest.
 
Valparaiso (4-5) jumped out to a 10-4 advantage in the opening minutes of the contest, but Western Michigan answered with an 8-0 run to take a 12-10 edge with 12:53 to go in the first half. With WMU on top, 16-15, the Beacons rattled off nine straight to open up a 24-16 lead at the 5:45 mark. Valpo briefly got the margin to nine, 30-21, before the Broncos ended the half on a 9-2 run to trim the halftime deficit to 32-30.
 
The Beacons netted the first five points out of the locker room to up the margin back to seven, 37-30. A Titus Wright layup at the 12:22 mark got Western Michigan back within three, 41-38, but Valpo countered with the next seven in a row to stretch the lead into double-figures, 48-38, with 10:43 to play. The Broncos got as close as seven, 67-60, with just over a minute remaining, but the visitors iced the game from there at the free throw line.
 
Western Michigan connected on 23-of-59 (39.0 percent) from the floor, while Valpo went 25-for-53 (47.2 percent) from the field.
 
Fueled by 12 offensive rebounds, one shy of its season high, WMU held a 39-33 edge on the glass. The Broncos turned that into a 14-4 advantage in second-chance points.
 
Western Michigan hits the road next Saturday, Dec. 11, as it heads across the state to take on Detroit Mercy. Tip is set for 1 pm and the game will be broadcast on the Bronco Media Network.