KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan senior forward Tafari Simms had a game-high 24 points and secured a career-high 12 rebounds as the Broncos fell to UIC, 62-56, on Saturday at University Arena.
 
Trailing 58-41 with less than five minutes remaining, Western Michigan (3-7) embarked on a 13-0 run, which included eight points from Simms, to trim the deficit to four, 58-54, with under a minute to play. UIC (6-4) withstood the Bronco rally, and went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final minute to seal the victory. WMU held the Flames without a field goal for the final 4:26 of the game.
 
Simms' 24 points marked his highest total as a Bronco, and it came 10-of-14 shooting, including 3-for-4 on three-pointers. The senior's 12 rebounds established a new career best, and gave him his second career double-double.
 
Markeese Hastings also grabbed 14 rebounds for Western Michigan to help the hosts dominate on the glass, 51-22. WMU's 51 total rebounds set a new season high, while its 18 offensive rebounds tied the season high, which was set earlier in the week against Concordia.
 
The Flames jumped out to the early advantage, as the visitors grabbed the first eight points of the contest. UIC pushed the margin as high as 14 in the opening stanza, and went into the halftime locker room with a 30-18 lead.
 
UIC slowly added to its advantage throughout the majority of the second half, with the margin climbing up to 17, 58-41, with 4:26 to play.
 
Both teams were held below 40.0 percent from the field, as the Broncos connected on 39.3 percent (24-of-61) from the floor, while UIC shot 38.2 percent (21-of-55). After a tough first half, Western Michigan bounced back to hit an even 50.0 percent (16-of-32) of its field goal attempts after halftime.
 
Next up for the Broncos is a trip to Ames, Iowa to take on #20 Iowa State. Western Michigan and ISU are slated to tip off at 1 pm on Sunday, Dec. 18.
 
WMU returns to University Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 21, for a 1 pm tip against Siena Heights. To purchase tickets to any Western Michigan men's basketball home game this season, visit wmubroncos.com/tickets.