KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's basketball team fell to Georgia State, 77-70, on Saturday afternoon at University Arena in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge.
Four players scored in double-figures for the Broncos (0-2), led by
Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro and
Titus Wright, who tallied 12 points apiece.
Seth Hubbard and
Owen Lobsinger each added 11 points. WMU also had four different players grab five or more rebounds, with
Anthony Crump and
Markhi Strickland tallying a game-high seven apiece.
With the Panthers (1-1) holding a 15-14 edge, the visitors used an 11-1 run to increase their lead to 26-15 just past the midway point of the half. The next six points went to the Broncos, four of which came from Lobsinger, trimming the margin back to 26-21 with 6:39 remaining in the period.
Western Michigan got as close as four, 29-25, with just over five minutes remaining in the half, but Georgia State responded with a 9-2 to stretch to extend the margin back to 11, 38-27. GSU took a 40-29 advantage into the halftime locker room.
Georgia State scored six of the first eight points of the second half to build its cushion to 46-31, its largest lead of the contest. The visitors maintained a double-digit advantage until a
Brandon Muntu three-pointer at the 8:01 mark cut the deficit to eight, 58-50. The Muntu triple was part of a 7-2 stretch which eventually got the Broncos to within seven, 60-53. A 6-1 response extended GSU's lead back into double-figures, 66-54, and the Panthers remained in front by double-digits until the final minute.
The Broncos made 42.0 percent (21-of-50) of their field goals and hit seven three-pointers. WMU attempted 33 free throws, connecting on 21 of them. Georgia State shot 45.5 percent (25-of-55) from the floor, with the WMU defense limiting the Panthers to six three-pointers in 19 tries (31.6 percent). Western Michigan held a 36-35 edge on the glass, including 16 offensive boards.
The Broncos head to Big Ten country for their next two contests, beginning on Tuesday with a visit to Northwestern. Tip against the Wildcats is set for 8 pm on
B1G+.
