KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's basketball team rallied from a double-digit first-half deficit to take the lead in the latter stages of the contest, but ultimately came up short in a 72-68 loss to Youngstown State on Saturday afternoon at University Arena.
 
A trio of Broncos (2-7) scored in double-figures in the contest, led by JaVaughn Hannah's season-high 18 points. Owen Lobsinger was right behind with 17 points, and also led Western Michigan with nine rebounds. Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro contributed 10 points, while B. Artis White handed out a game-high six assists for WMU to tie his career high.
 
With Western Michigan holding an early 7-4 edge, Youngstown State (7-3) put together a 12-2 stretch to move in front, 16-9. The Broncos closed to within four after a Lobsinger triple made it 26-22 at the 7:17 mark of the opening stanza, but the Penguins rattled off 10 in a row to seize their largest lead of the afternoon, 36-22, with just over four minutes left until halftime. WMU countered with an 8-1 run to close out the half, shrinking the margin to 37-30 at the break.
 
The two teams traded baskets early in the second half before WMU used a 9-2 run, capped by a trio of Lobsinger free throws, to get to within two, 46-44, with 12:27 to play. A few minutes later, Seth Hubbard capped a 7-0 Western Michigan run with a three-pointer, giving the hosts their first lead since the opening minutes of the game, 53-51, with 8:46 remaining.
 
Youngstown State countered with seven in a row as part of an 11-2 stretch which put the Penguins back ahead, 62-55, with 4:54 to go. Western Michigan fought all the back to within two in the final minute, as a Hannah three-pointer whittled the margin to 70-68 with 16.7 seconds remaining. The comeback was halted there, as YSU sealed the game from the charity stripe.
 
The Broncos made 25-of-60 (41.7 percent) from the floor for the afternoon, while Youngstown State connected on 29-of-66 (43.9 percent) of its field goal attempts. WMU tied its season low by committing just nine turnovers, while forcing the Penguins into 12 miscues for a plus-three turnover margin.
 
Western Michigan hits the road for its final two games before the holiday break, starting next Saturday, Dec. 16, at UIC. Tip between the Broncos and Flames is slated for 2 pm on ESPN+.