Logically, the last thing the Western Michigan Broncos needed Saturday was an overtime game. Logic, however, does not always prevail, and the Broncos were on a mission to prevail. If it took an overtime, so be it.
Two days after losing to Kent State and five days after picking up their first Mid-American Conference win of the season, the Broncos defeated Miami 84-79 Saturday at University Arena.
Sophomore forward Kawanise Wilkins led the way, tying his own career high with 26 points -- 17 after intermission when he connected on six-of-seven shots from the field. His triple with 30 seconds remaining tied the game at 68 all and forced overtime after Miami was unable to score on the final possession.
Seth Dugan, who had just one field goal in regulation, put the hosts ahead with four quick points to start overtime and WMU never trailed in the extra period.
A pair of Nike Sibande triples, sandwiched around a bucket by Wilkins, tied the game at 74-all with just over two minutes remaining. However, William Boyer-Richard nailed a three at the other end to put the Broncos ahead for good. The freshman finished with 16 points thanks to considerable success from distance. He was four-of-five beyond the arc overall.
Flowers, the third Bronco to reach double figures (16) followed with another basket to give the hosts a five-point lead.
DUGAN, WILKINS FINISH JOB
Jalen Adaway scored a bucket for Miami, but Dugan answered with a slam on Western’s possession.
Bam Bowman’s triple with 18 seconds remaining again pulled MU within two at 81-79, but those were the last RedHawk points. Wilkins made three of four attempts at the line to close out the Bronco victory.
With the win, Western Michigan moved to 8-18 (2-11 MAC). Miami, which had won four of its last six, dropped to 13-12 (5-7 MAC).
BALANCED REDHAWK SCORING
Four RedHawks reached double figures. Brown and Abdoulaye Harouna topped MU’s scorers with 17 apiece. Sibande had 16, while Adaway registered a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Miami held the lead for 26:21 on the day, but despite some runs, neither team was able to really pull away. There were eight ties and nine lead changes.
BRONCOS ON TARGET
The RedHawks took a 33-28 lead to intermission thanks to hitting 7-of-14 treys. However, they slipped to 3-of-11 in the second half, while WMU made 3-of-8 triples in the second stanza. Overall, the Broncos hit 54.2 percent (13-of-24) from the field in the period. Miami was good on 11-of-29 (37.9 percent).
A basket by senior Josh Davis moved Western in front 41-40 at 15:12, and the Broncos maintained a lead for nearly nine minutes. Darrian Ringo’s basket at 6:37 lifted the visitors back in front, and MU stayed there for the until the final minute.
A Ringo drive provided the RedHawks with a 68-63 edge -- the same five points MU led by at halftime. Wilkins, however, drained a jumper for two. Dugan then got a block at the other end, setting up Wilkins’ game-tying triple.