KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's basketball team picked up a 61-54 victory over Eastern Michigan in a defensive struggle on Saturday afternoon at University Arena.
Chansey Willis Jr. led the Broncos (7-14, 4-5 MAC) with 16 points, while
JaVaughn Hannah was also in double-figures with 11.
Donovan Williams just missed out on a double-double, as he tallied nine points and secured a season-high 10 rebounds.
With Eastern Michigan (10-11, 4-5) holding an early 4-3 edge, the Broncos rattled off nine in a row to open up a 12-4 lead. Western Michigan built its advantage as high as 11 in the first half, with a Willis layup making it 18-7 at the 7:31 mark of the period.
At 21-10, the visitors reeled off seven in a row and eight of the half's last 10 points to trim the margin to 23-18 at the break. During the period, WMU's defense held the Eagles without a field goal for two separate extended stretches, with one lasting for six-and-a-half minutes, and the second lasting over four-and-a-half minutes. The 18 points were the second-fewest allowed in a half this season by Western Michigan.
After
Markhi Strickland tallied the first bucket of the second half for the Broncos, Eastern Michigan put together a 13-3 run to move ahead, 31-28. With EMU clinging to a 41-39 edge, Williams drove to the hoop for a layup which sparked an eight-point burst and put the Brown and Gold back on top, 47-41, with seven minutes to play.
The Eagles worked the margin back down to one, 53-52, with just under two minutes remaining. On the ensuing possession,
Max Burton converted an old-fashioned three-point play to push the lead back to four. Western Michigan iced the game from there at the free throw line.
Both teams struggled from the field for the majority of the afternoon, as the Broncos finished the contest at 38.6 percent (22-of-57) and Eastern Michigan ended up at 36.5 percent (19-of-52).
Western Michigan heads back out on the road on Tuesday evening as it visits Ohio. Tip between the Broncos and Bobcats is set for 7 pm on
ESPN+.
