The Broncos had . . .
Sophomore Michael Flowers led the Broncos in three statistical categories, scoring 20 points along with six rebounds and three assists.
Senior Josh Davis reached double digits with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field. Davis also knocked down three three-pointers with two rebounds and two assists.
Off the bench, freshman Patrick Emilien scored 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting and matched a career-high with five rebounds in 18 minutes played. Fellow freshman Luke Toliver provided valuable minutes for the Broncos near the end of the first half, scoring a career-high five points. Overall, 11 of the 12 players that hit the court against the Flyers scored.
With the loss, WMU’s overall record drops to 5-6 and 2-4 away from Kalamazoo. The Broncos return home for the final two games of 2018, hosting Milwaukee on Saturday, Dec. 22 followed by UC Riverside on Sunday, Dec. 30.
The Broncos got off to a quick start making its first three field goals en route to a 6-5 lead at the 17-minute mark. The two teams jostled back and forth to grab the lead before junior Jared Printy knocked down a corner three to propel WMU to a 9-8 advantage.
Dayton later in the first half with a 13-3 run, knocking down seven of its next eight field goals to take a 15-9 lead. WMU clawed its way back to cut the deficit down to seven before the Flyers got hot from the field making eight straight field goals, embarking on a 13-2 run to take a 34-19 lead at the eight-minute mark.
The Flyers had a 40-22 lead with four minutes left before a line change was made from the Bronco bench. Head coach Steve Hawkins brought in an entire new line-up that featured freshman William Boyer-Richard, DJ Houston, Emilien, Toliver and junior Adida Ikongshul.
The new five produced valuable minutes for the Broncos, making the final four field goals of the first half as WMU trailed 45-33 heading into the locker room. Of the new five, Toliver led all scorers with five points.
Midway through the second half, Western Michigan cut its deficit down to single digits after a quick 4-0 run. The run began with a lay-up by Flowers followed by an and-one from fellow sophomore Kawanise Wilkins. However, Dayton rallied back with a 6-0 run in under a minute to extend its lead to 62-48.
With under 10 minutes to play the Broncos began a three-point barrage, knocking down three straight from long distance to cut the deficit to 64-57. The 9-0 run was highlighted by two threes from senior guard Josh Davis. Dayton quickly went on a 4-0 run with two fast-break lay-ups to extend its lead back to double digits.
Down the stretch, Dayton maintained its double digit lead making five of its final six field goals for the 85-72 victory. The Flyers had four players in double figures led by Obi Toppin who had 28 points and went a perfect 11-of-11 from the field. Dayton improves its overall record to 6-5.
(Courtesy of WMU Athletics)