KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's basketball team had five players score in double-figures and held off a late rally from Northern Illinois to grab a 72-70 victory over the Huskies on Tuesday night at University Arena.
 
For the sixth time this season it was Chansey Willis Jr. who led Western Michigan (5-13, 2-4 MAC) in scoring, as the junior netted 18 points. JaVaughn Hannah tallied 17 points, Donovan Williams scored 15 in his first start of the campaign, and the duo of Max Burton and Markhi Strickland chipped in 10 points apiece. WMU had 17 assists on 23 field goals, with Willis handing out a season-high tying seven, and Hannah adding a career-high five helpers.
 
The Broncos dominated on the glass to the tune of a 42-27 advantage. Of those 42 boards, 19 came on the offensive end for the Brown and Gold. Burton secured a team-leading nine rebounds, and four others snagged at least five boards for WMU.
 
Western Michigan and NIU (4-14, 0-6) traded the lead back and forth nine times in the opening 10-plus minutes. With the Huskies holding a 17-15 edge, WMU reeled off 10 in a row to spark a 16-2 surge which put the hosts in front, 31-19, with six minutes to play in the first half. The margin was once again at 12, 39-27, as the teams headed to the locker room.  
 
In the early stages of the second half, the Broncos extended their advantage to 15, 46-31. At 49-36, Northern Illinois put together a 15-2 run to get back even, 51-51, at the 8:41 mark. Western Michigan responded with the next six, including an old-fashioned three-point play by Burton.
 
The Huskies refused to go away, and once again tied the contest up at 59-59. With the visitors holding a 66-65 edge, Western Michigan got layups from Burton and Willis to go back ahead, 69-66, with 90 seconds remaining. Northern Illinois got back to within a point a couple of times in the final minute, but Willis hit three clutch free throws in the final 20 seconds to help the Brown and Gold hang on for the victory.
 
The Broncos connected on 23-of-60 (38.3 percent) from the floor for the evening, while NIU went 24-of-54 (44.4 percent) from the field.
 
Western Michigan hits the road for its next two contests, starting on Saturday evening as it travels up to Mount Pleasant to face Central Michigan. Tip between the Broncos and Chippewas is slated for 7 pm on ESPN+.