YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Redshirt sophomore forward Max Burton posted his first collegiate double-double to help the Western Michigan men's basketball team collect a 73-62 win at Youngstown State on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Burton went 7-for-9 from the floor and registered career highs in both points (18) and rebounds (12) to lead the way for the Broncos (3-4). The Williamston, Mich., native's efforts helped WMU own a 49-30 rebounding advantage and grab 18 offensive boards.
 
Brandon Muntu hit all four of his three-point attempts on the way to a career-high 18 points, matching Burton for the team lead. Markhi Strickland added 16 points and a career-high tying four steals.
 
Back-to-back three-pointers by Muntu helped Western Michigan grab a 14-10 edge at the 11:41 mark of the first half. Moments later, an Owen Lobsinger triple and basket by Seryee Lewis boosted the margin to 19-12 just past the halfway point of the period.
 
With the lead at 23-17, the Broncos used a six-point burst, capped by a Strickland three-point play, to extend their cushion to 29-17, their largest of the contest. Youngstown State (2-5) came back with eight of the next 10 points to close the gap to 31-25. Western Michigan took a 36-30 advantage into the locker room.
 
The Penguins opened the second half with a 9-1 run to move ahead, 39-37. Western Michigan countered with an 11-2 stretch, which included two more Muntu triples, to go back in front, 48-41.  
 
With WMU's edge at 56-50, Youngstown State put together an 8-2 run to draw level, 58-58, with just under six minutes to play. With the contest even again at 60-60, the Broncos got eight straight points to regain the lead, 68-60, with two minutes remaining. From there, the Brown and Gold salted the game away at the free throw line.  
 
The Broncos shot 42.1 percent (24-of-57) from the floor for the afternoon, while Youngstown State connected on 35.9 percent (23-of-64) of its field goal attempts.
 
Western Michigan continues its stretch of four consecutive road games on Tuesday, Dec. 3, when it visits Dayton. Tip is set for 7 pm on ESPN+.