KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Lamar Norman Jr. poured in a career-high 34 points, but the Western Michigan men's basketball team's rally came up shy in an 85-79 loss to Eastern Michigan on Tuesday evening at University Arena.
 
Norman netted 20 of his points in the first half on nine-of-13 shooting. His 20-point half was the first by a Bronco since Michael Flowers scored 21 in the second half of a first round MAC Tournament game at Toledo on March 9, 2020. It was the first 20-point performance in the first half by a WMU player since Seth Dugan poured in 20 in the first half of the 2018-19 season opener against Detroit Mercy on Nov. 6, 2018.
 
Cameron Kimble also posted a career high on Tuesday evening, as he dropped in 10 points for the Broncos (4-10, 0-3). Mileek McMillan added nine points, while the trio of Josiah Freeman, Markeese Hastings and Titus Wright chipped in eight points apiece. Wright also snared a season-high 11 rebounds.
 
Eastern Michigan (6-6, 1-0) was out of the gates quickly, scoring the first eight points of the evening. The Broncos countered with a 12-3 run, including five points apiece from McMillan and Norman, to cut the margin to 15-12 at the 12:25 mark of the first half.
 
A 10-0 EMU surge extended the visitors' advantage into double-figures for the first time, 25-12, near the midway point of the period. The Eagles' built their lead as high as 20 in the opening half, 47-27, but Norman buried a three-pointer in the final seconds to trim the margin to 47-30 at the break.
 
The Eagles kept Western Michigan at arm's length for the majority of the second half, but another Norman triple pulled the Broncos within 12, 80-68, with 2:46 remaining. Trailing 84-72 in the final minute, WMU took advantage of a few EMU turnovers and missed free throws to net seven straight points and whittle the gap all the way down to five, 84-79, after a Hastings dunk with 16 seconds to go. Eastern Michigan missed two more free throws on its next possession, but the Broncos turned the ball over, and EMU hung on from there.
 
The Broncos connected on 29-of-63 (46.0 percent) from the field in the contest, while Eastern Michigan made 31-of-58 (53.4 percent) from the field. For the fourth game running, Western Michigan held the edge on the glass, 37-31.
 
WMU heads up to Mount Pleasant on Saturday to take on Central Michigan. The Broncos and Chippewas are slated for a 7 pm tip. The game will be streamed live 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.