
The Golden Grizzlies slashed a late deficit to tie the game at 65 with 5:35 remaining, but the Broncos did not allow the momentum to swing completely in their opponents’ favor
Tava and Tucker Haymond combined to swipe the ball from Olujobi in the post on the next possession, and Haymond proceeded directly to the other end to drill a triple and up the lead to 72-65. The Golden Grizzlies never got within seven points again as the Broncos held on for the lead.
Tava recorded his first double-double of the season with a team-high 21 points and 10 rebounds despite giving up six inches and 20 points to Oakland’s 6-11 center Corey Petros. Tava also contributed a team-high five assists and a steal.
Haymond had 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting and pulled down six rebounds. Kellen McCormick came
Defensively the Broncos held the high-flying Golden Grizzlies in check, holding preseason Horizon League selection Petros scoreless in the second half and keeping top three-point shooter Max Hooper without a point in the game.
Kahlil Felder put the Golden Grizzlies ahead to start the game with a lay-up at 18:35, but David Brown drained an NBA-range three from the right wing on the next possession and the Broncos never trailed in the game again.
Haymond went off for 12 points in the first half, upping the lead to three points with a bucket at 8-5, and the sophomore from Seattle made it a 21-14 edge after he made a lay-up and drew a foul from Tommie McCune with 9:27 remaining in the first half.
A 7-0 run pulled Oakland even with WMU, but Haymond responded again with a trey at 6:38 to re-take the lead. Freshman Thomas Wilder drained the final two shots of the half to give WMU a 35-29 lead at the break.
The Broncos’ biggest lead came came midway in the second half when Haymond tipped in an errant shot to make it 55-45, but the Golden Grizzlies chipped away and tied it on an old-fashioned three-point play by Olujobi. WMU recovered, notching an 8-0 run to seal the deal against Oakland.
WMU will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 22 when it hosts Drake at University Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.