MIAMI BASKETBALL

Bronco board dominance too much for 'Hawks ​

Five-game win streak comes to an end

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Western Michigan (8-17, 5-7 MAC) leads the Mid-American Conference in offensive rebounds, and the Broncos flexed that strength Saturday when they knocked off visiting Miami 78-70 at University Arena.

The verdict ended MU's five game winning streak, dropping the RedHawks to 10-2 in MAC play (19-6 overall). Western Michigan, meanwhile, ended a three-game losing streak. 

The RedHawks were coming off . . . 

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. . . an emotional home court win over Toledo Tuesday. Sophomore forward Kam Craft scored 40 points in that win. However, he failed to score a single point against WMU. Fellow starter Eian Elmer also went scoreless, with the duo going a combined 0 for 8 from the field with two rebounds. 

As a team, Miami totaled 26 rebounds (6 offensive). Western Michigan laid claim to the glass early and finished with an overall 54-26 advantage. Nearly half (22) of the Broncos total came on the offensive end, fueling a 23-8 WMU edge in second chance points. The hosts outscored MU 11-2 on second chance points in the second half, turning a 32-30 Miami halftime lead into an eight-point Bronco win. 

Donovan Williams  and Owen Lobsinger combined for 25 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive end. Guard Peter Suder led MU with seven rebounds.

Suder, who averages 14.1 ppg (slightly behind Craft) came up just short of double figures, scoring eight points on the day. However, he dished out five assists to go along with his team high (7) rebounds. Freshman forward Brant Byers came off the bench to lead MU with 19 points. Mekhi Cooper added 12 and Antwone Woolfolk chipped in 11. 

Chansey Willis Jr led all scorers with 22 points. Williams added 15 points for the Broncos, followed by JaVaughn Hannah (13) and Markhi Strickland (10). 

Miami's last lead was 41-40 with 14:28 remaining, and WMU led 44-43 when the Broncos went on a 20-5 run. All five RedHawk points came at the free throw line as MU went for over seven minutes without scoring a field goal.    

The Broncos led 64-48 before Suder finally broke through with a basket at 5:05. Byers scored 10 of his 19 points down the stretch, but Miami could get no closer than six points with 43 seconds left.