Western Michigan Broncos (10-15, 4-8 MAC)
at Kent State Golden Flashes (16-9, 7-5 MAC)
Feb. 16, 2016 • 7 p.m. ET
Kent, Ohio • M.A.C. Center (6,327)
Series Record: WMU trails, 60-56
Away: 17-37
Last Meeting: 87-84 (OT), KSU (1/5/2016); in Kalamazoo - University Arena
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio • Bronco Radio Network - Robin Hook PBP (Pre-game show begins at 6:30 p.m. ET)
Stations • WZOX — 96.5 FM: (Flagship) Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan; WMAX — 96.1 FM: Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon — WDFN 1130 AM: Detroit
Video Stream: kentstatesports.com
Live Stats: kentstatesports.com
Twitter Updates: @WMUMBB
THE TIP-OFF
Western Michigan travels to East Division opponent Kent State for the 13th game of Mid-American Conference play and for the second meeting with the Golden Flashes this year. KSU edged WMU in Kalamazoo on Jan. 5 in the first meeting this season, 87-84 in overtime
> After playing six of its first eight MAC games at home during the month of January, Western Michigan will play six of eight games in February on the road. WMU returns home to face rival Central Michigan Saturday, Feb. 20 and closes out the month with games at Eastern Michigan (2/23) and Northern Illinois (2/27).
> As a team, Western Michigan is averaging 73.3 points per game overall and defensively allowing 73.52ppg. In MAC games, WMU is averaging 71.8 ppg and allowing 73.9 ppg.
> WMU is looking for their second straight road win after defeating Bowling Green Saturday at the Stroh Center, 74-68.
WILDER TOP SCORER IN THE MAC
WMU sophomore point guard Thomas Wilder leads the MAC in scoring during conference contests, averaging 20.6 ppg in league play. In all games combined, Wilder is averaging 18.2 ppg, which is second most in the MAC.
> Wilder has scored in double digits in every game but three (vs. Liberty - 6 pts; vs. Marygrove - 8 pts; vs. Northern Illinois - 9 pts).
> Last year as a freshman Wilder averaged 7.2 ppg.
HAYMOND CLOSING IN ON 1,000
Junior forward Tucker Haymond is approaching the 1,000 milestone entering Tuesday's matchup against Kent State with 964 career points. Haymond would be the 40th player to reach the mark in WMU men's basketball history. The last Bronco to accomplish the feat was David Brown, who eclipsed the milestone during the 2014 MAC Tournament. Haymond is also WMU's current *active leader in career rebounds with 369.
BIG GAMES FROM THE BIG MEN
Sophomore 6-10 center Drake LaMont and freshman 7-0 center Seth Dugan came up big in WMU's 74-68 win at Bowling Green Tuesday, combining for 31 points and 13 rebounds. Both had their second-highest scoring games of the year, with LaMont recording 17 points and 7 rebounds, both of which were game highs. Dugan had 14 points and 6 rebounds. LaMont scored the first 7 points of the game, helping WMU race out to a 13-2 lead.
NOTABLES FROM THE BGSU WIN (74-68)
WMU's win at Bowling Green snapped a three-game skid and snapped a five-game losing streak to the Falcons which dated back to 2011.
> The Broncos shot a blazing 65.4 percent in the first half and 50.9 percent for the game.
> Sophomore 6-10 center Drake LaMont was 8-for-11 from the field while 7-0 freshman center Seth Dugan was 7-for-11.
> Four Broncos scored in double figures - LaMont (17), Dugan (14), Thomas Wilder (14) & Tucker Haymond (14)
DEVELOPING DUGAN
Bronco 7-0 freshman center Seth Dugan has continued to develop as the season as progressed and is coming off of two solid performances. In the last two games, Dugan is averaging 10.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg.
WINNING NUMBERS
In its 10 wins this season, WMU is shooting the ball an average of 49.5 percent from the floor and 44.1 percent from behind the arc. WMU has dominated the boards in game won, averaging 9.2 rebounds more per contest than its opponents (38.6 rpg vs. 29.4 rpg). WMU is outscoring opponents by 12.9 points a game in wins (83.3 ppg vs. 70.4 ppg).
WMU - KENT STATE SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 117th meeting between the Broncos and the Golden Flashes, with Kent State holding a slight 60-56 advantage in the all-time series with WMU. The Broncos had a three-game winning streak going against the Golden Flashes that was interrupted earlier this season in Kalamazoo, as Kent State won the first meeting this year, 87-84 in overtime in Kalamazoo. The Broncos won the last meeting in the M.A.C Center, a 75-59 victory on Jan. 23, 2014. Head coach Steve Hawkins is 6-10 all-time against Kent State.
KENT STATE SCOUTING REPORT
Kent State is led by fifth-year head coach Rob Senderoff and enters the game with a 16-9, 7-5 MAC record. After starting conference play with a 6-1 record, the Golden Flashes have gone 1-4 over their last five games and lost their last outing, 75-70 at Eastern Michigan. KSU is 10-2 at home this season.
> The Golden Flashes are the defending East Division and MAC regular season champions and return four letterwinners and three starters from last year's squad.
> A First Team All-MAC selection last season, 6-8 redshirt junior forward Jimmy Hall (16.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg) as well as frontcourt teammates Khaliq Spicer (7.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and Chris Ortiz (7.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg) has helped Kent State control play around the basket.
> Kent State has been without 6-4 senior guard Xavier Pollard (12.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and Jaylin Walker freshman guard (7.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg) who are sidelined with injury.
