CONWAY, S.C. – The Western Michigan men's basketball team erased a double-digit deficit, but ultimately came up just short, 60-56, at Coastal Carolina on Monday evening in the 2024-25 season opener.
 
Markhi Strickland and Donovan Williams each netted 13 points to lead the way for Western Michigan (0-1), while JaVaughn Hannah was also in double-figures with 10. Owen Lobsinger nearly had a double-double, netting nine points and corralling a game-high 11 rebounds.
 
Coastal Carolina (1-0) got out on the front foot early and raced out to an 11-2 lead in the opening minutes. At 17-7, a quick five-point burst on a jumper by Marquese Josephs and a three-pointer by Strickland got the Broncos to within five, 17-12.
 
The Chanticleers slowly built their advantage back into double-digits, and got it as high as 12. With the margin at 33-21, WMU netted five in a row again to close the gap to 33-26. CCU hit a three-pointer in the final moments of the half to take a 36-26 lead into the locker room.
 
Western Michigan scored nine of the first 12 points after the break and closed the gap to four, 39-35, on an old-fashioned three-point play by Hannah. The Broncos then used a 7-2 run to get level, tying it up at 46-46 when Josephs intercepted a pass and found Williams for a transition layup.
 
Coastal Carolina countered with an 11-1 surge to move back ahead, 59-49. The next seven points went to the Broncos, cutting it to a three-point game, 59-56, in the final minute. WMU had a look at a three-pointer to tie the game in the dying seconds, but it rimmed out. The Chanticleers grabbed the rebound and held on from there for the victory.
 
Western Michigan had a tough shooting evening, as it was held to 34.6 percent (18-of-52) from the field. Coastal Carolina connected on 46.8 percent (22-of-47) of its field goal attempts. WMU was plus-four in the turnover battle, forcing 12 while only committing eight.   
 
The Broncos return to Kalamazoo for their home opener on Thursday as they welcome Davenport to University Arena for a 7 pm contest. For tickets to any WMU men's basketball home game, visit wmubroncos.com/tickets.