KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Despite 22 points and 19 rebounds from redshirt junior forward Markeese Hastings, the Western Michigan University men’s basketball team fell 73-59 to Northern Illinois Tuesday evening at University Arena.
Led by Hastings, Western Michigan (6-16, 2-7 MAC) held a 49-35 rebounding advantage for the evening, including a 23-10 margin on the offensive glass. The 23 offensive rebounds were the most by the Broncos since they grabbed 27 offensive boards on Nov. 11, 2016, against Marygrove, and the most in a MAC game since notching 24 at Akron on Jan. 8, 2016. The 23 offensive rebounds also tied for the most by any NCAA Division I team against a conference opponent in 2022-23.
Hastings’ 22 points tied a career high, and came on eight-of-16 shooting and five-of-seven at the free throw line. The Grand Rapids, Mich., native’s 19 rebounds were one shy of his career high, which was set last month at Toledo. Hastings has recorded double-digit rebounds 13 times this season, including in six of WMU’s nine conference games.
Titus Wright was also in double-figures for WMU, as the junior netted 16 points, which included an eight-for-10 evening at the free throw line. The eight made free throws tied Wright’s career high. Lamar Norman Jr. chipped in 10 points and six rebounds for the Broncos.
Northern Illinois (9-13, 5-4) came out of the gates quickly, as the visitors roared out to a 20-6 start over the first eight minutes of the contest. After NIU matched its largest cushion of the first half, 29-12, Western Michigan reeled off seven consecutive points to shrink the gap down to 29-19 with 3:54 remaining in the half. The Huskies held a 36-24 lead at halftime.
Seven of the first nine points after halftime went to WMU, and a JaVaughn Hannan three-pointer drew the Broncos to within seven, 38-31, with 17:35 on the clock. NIU tallied the next five points to briefly extend its lead back into double-figures, but Western Michigan whittled the margin back to nine, 46-37, on a Norman jumper at the 14:26 mark.
WMU is at home once again on Saturday afternoon as it hosts Buffalo for Alumni Day. Saturday is another doubleheader at University Arena, with the women’s team set to face Akron at noon, followed by the men’s game at 2:30 p.m. on the Bronco Radio Network.
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