KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan redshirt junior forward Markeese Hastings (18 points, 10 rebounds) collected his fifth double-double of the season on Saturday, but the Broncos fell, 63-55, to Akron at University Arena.
 
Hastings' 18 points and 10 rebounds were both team highs for WMU (6-13, 2-4 MAC). It was the Grand Rapids, Mich., native's fifth double-double and 11th double-digit rebounding performance of the season.
 
Jefferson Monegro tallied eight points and five assists for Western Michigan. Lamar Norman Jr. was one of three Broncos to have six points for the afternoon, and also handed out a game-high six assists.
 
An early 12-2 run helped Akron (13-6, 5-1 MAC) open up an eight-point margin, 16-8. A pair of JaVaughn Hannah three-pointers brought Western Michigan back to within two, but the Zips countered with a 9-2 spurt to seize a 25-16 lead at the 7:34 mark of the first half.
 
A Seth Hubbard three-pointer jumpstarted a 14-2 run for the Broncos, as Western Michigan went ahead, 30-27, with just over two minutes left in the period. Akron answered with the final five points of the half, including a long two-point jumper which just beat the halftime buzzer and sent the visitors into the locker room with a 32-30 edge.
 
Western Michigan regained the lead by scoring the first seven points of the second stanza. The Broncos remained in front until an 11-4 spurt helped the Zips go back on top, 45-43, with 10:08 to play.
 
The Broncos tied it up at 45-45 on a basket by Tray Maddox Jr., then again at 48-48 on a layup by Monegro at the 8:48 mark. Akron then put together a 9-2 run to open up a seven-point cushion, 57-50, with 2:50 remaining. WMU got as close as four, 57-53, in the final minutes, but the Zips closed out the game from there at the free throw line.
 
Both defenses held the opposing offenses in check for large portions of the game, as neither team reached 40.0 percent from the field. Western Michigan connected on 21-of-55 (38.2 percent) while Akron made 23-of-63 (36.5 percent), including eight-of-35 (22.9 percent) from beyond the arc.
 
The Broncos dominated on the glass to the tune of a 47-31 rebounding advantage. The plus-16 rebounding margin was Western Michigan's best in a MAC game since March 2, 2019, against Ball State (plus-18). WMU also earned a 30-22 edge in points in the paint.
 
Western Michigan hits the road for its next two games, starting on Tuesday night at Ohio. The Broncos and Bobcats are set to tip at 7 pm on ESPN+.
 
WMU returns to University Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 31, to take on Northern Illinois at 7 pm. To purchase tickets to any Western Michigan men's basketball home game this season, visit wmubroncos.com/tickets.

Postgame Press Conference with head coach Dwayne Stephens: