KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's basketball team held a late edge, but saw Bowling Green end the game on a 12-2 run to come from behind and clip the Broncos, 82-75, on Saturday afternoon at University Arena.
 
With 2:55 remaining, Lamar Norman Jr. made a layup to put the Broncos (4-14, 0-7) ahead 73-70. Bowling Green (10-9, 3-5) came back with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession to tie the contest and kickstart a 9-0 run which put the Falcons on top, 79-73, in the final minute. Mack Smith drove in for a layup to draw WMU within four, 79-75, but BGSU sealed the contest from there at the free throw line.
 
Norman led the Broncos in scoring for the 13th time this season, netting 20 points for the afternoon. It marked the eighth game this season the junior has had 20 or more points, and was his 15th consecutive game in double-figures.
 
Mileek McMillan poured in 15 points, his highest total as a Bronco, while Smith chipped in 10 points. Markeese Hastings came just shy of a double-double, as he tallied nine points and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds. Seven of Hastings' 13 rebounds came on the offensive glass, helping WMU record 15 offensive rebounds for the afternoon, two shy of its season high. It was the fifth double-digit rebounding effort of the season for Hastings.
 
Bowling Green got off to a quick start, netting the game's first six points on the way to a 17-9 start over the opening six minutes of the contest. Western Michigan fought back, with six straight points from McMillan sparking a 12-4 run to bring the Broncos level, 23-23, at the 9:05 mark of the first half.
 
An 11-2 response by the Falcons pushed the visitors back in front, 34-25, with 5:35 remaining until halftime. The Broncos closed the opening period with a 10-2 surge, with McMillan canning a three-pointer in the final minute to get WMU within one, 41-40, at halftime.
 
BGSU struck for nine of the first 11 points after intermission, stretching the margin back out to 50-42 with 17:39 to play. Western Michigan answered with 11 in a row, including three-pointers by Norman, Josiah Freeman and Smith, to grab a 53-50 edge at the 14:43 mark. The visitors briefly nudged back ahead, 56-55, but Adrian Martin drained a three-pointer to cap a 9-1 stretch and give Western Michigan its largest lead of the afternoon, 64-57, midway through the half.
 
Western Michigan was held to 39.7 percent shooting (29-of-73) from the field, while Bowling Green connected on 52.6 percent (30-of-57) of its field goal attempts.
 
The Broncos were a season-best plus-five in the turnover battle, tying their season low with eight turnovers while forcing BGSU into 13 miscues. Western Michigan used that differential to record a 20-12 advantage in points off of turnovers.
 
WMU hits the road for four of its next five games, starting on Tuesday night at Kent State. Tip is set for 7 pm, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and the Bronco Media Network.
 
To purchase tickets to any Western Michigan men's basketball home game this season, visit wmubroncos.com/tickets, or call 1-888-4-WMU-TIX.