OXFORD, OH (WKZO AM/FM) – On a night where both teams struggled from the floor, Miami of Ohio used a key 15-2 run midway through the second half to top the Western Michigan University men’s basketball team 62-57 Tuesday evening at MU’s Millett Hall.
Four different Broncos scored in double-figures for the evening, led by Lamar Norman Jr.’s 12 points, which extended the junior’s double-digit scoring streak to 21 in a row. Joining Norman in double-figures for WMU (4-20, 0-13) were Mileek McMillan (11), Mack Smith (11) and B. Artis White (10). Smith hit a pair of free throws during a late first-half run to surpass 1500 points for his collegiate career.
Markeese Hastings grabbed a team-high eight rebounds for Western Michigan, while McMillan added seven boards.
Defense reigned in the early going, as Western Michigan held Miami (10-13, 4-8) to just one field goal over the opening seven minutes as it opened up a 9-2 advantage. Near the midway point of the half, Smith knocked down a three-pointer to extend the WMU edge to 14-6.
The RedHawks answered with a pair of triples to shrink the margin to 14-12 with nine minutes remaining until halftime. White scored five straight for the Broncos to boost the lead back to 21-14 at the 6:07 mark. Miami netted the next 10 points to move in front for the first time, 24-21, but Western Michigan countered with the final nine points of the half to take a 30-24 edge into the locker room.
Norman started the second half with a three-pointer to put a bow on the 12-0 run and put WMU ahead, 33-24, with 18:44 to play. Western Michigan kept its advantage between five and nine until Miami put together a 15-2 run to move in front, 50-46, at the 6:43 mark.
McMillan knocked down four consecutive free throws to briefly put the Broncos back on top, 52-51, but the next five went to Miami, putting the hosts in front, 56-52, with 4:28 remaining. With 3:41 left on the clock, Norman completed an old-fashioned three-point play to bring WMU within one, 56-55. The RedHawks held off Western Michigan from there, sealing the victory from the free throw line.
For the evening, the Broncos connected on 16-of-44 (36.4 percent) from the floor, while the RedHawks made 18-of-49 (36.7 percent) from the field. Western Michigan converted on 18-of-23 (78.3 percent) from the charity stripe, coming one attempt and one make shy of its season highs. WMU won the battle on the glass, edging the RedHawks, 33-28.
Western Michigan returns to University Arena on Saturday for a rematch against Central Michigan. The Broncos and Chippewas are slated for a 7 pm tip, and fans can purchase tickets here. The game is also set to be broadcast on ESPN3 and the Bronco Media Network.
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