KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Redshirt junior Markhi Strickland netted a career-high 20 points, but the Western Michigan men's basketball team fell to South Dakota, 80-76, on Wednesday night at University Arena.  
 
Strickland hit 7-of-10 from the floor on the way to his career-high 20 points. The Miami, Fla., native became the first Bronco to hit 20 points thus far in 2024-25. Joining Strickland in double-figures for Western Michigan (2-4) were Owen Lobsinger (13) and JaVaughn Hannah (12).
 
Led by Max Burton's career-high 11 rebounds, WMU posted a 53-38 advantage on the glass, with the 53 boards serving as the team's most in a single game since securing 53 at Central Michigan on March 11, 2019. Of the 53 rebounds, 24 were offensive, which was Western Michigan's highest total on the offensive glass since last season's trip to UIC.
 
After the two teams went back and forth in the early stages, a 9-2 run helped the Broncos open up a 19-13 advantage with just over eight minutes to play in the first half. A 10-4 stretch briefly put South Dakota (5-1) up by a point, 29-28, at the 2:22 mark. Six of the next eight went to Western Michigan, and the home team went into the locker room with a 34-33 edge.
 
The Coyotes netted 11 of the first 13 points after halftime to move ahead, 44-36, with 16:03 to go. Over the next three minutes, Western Michigan used a 9-3 stretch to whittle the gap to 47-45.
 
The Broncos got the margin down to one a couple of times just past the halfway mark of the period, but South Dakota was able to cling to the lead each time. After Strickland made it 57-55 with 7:22 left, the Coyotes went on a 13-4 run to grab their largest cushion of the night, 70-59, with just under four minutes to play. Western Michigan got back to within four in the final minute, but could get no closer.
 
WMU was 29-of-71 (40.8 percent) from the field in the contest, while South Dakota made 26-of-69 (37.7 percent) field goal attempts.
 
Western Michigan hits the road for its next four games, starting next Wednesday, Nov. 27, at Youngstown State. Tip between the Broncos and the Penguins is slated for 2 pm on ESPN+.