BOX SCORE

KALAMAZOO -- Western Michigan (10-8, 4-1 MAC) strung together another suffocating defensive performance to defeat arch-rival Central Michigan (7-10, 2-3 MAC), 72-52, Tuesday night at University Arena in front of 3,859 and televised nationally on ESPNU.

The Broncos' own sophomore guard, David Kool, led all scorers with 18 points. He added the first points to the scoreboard and sent Western Michigan on a 16-3 run in the first 9:53 of the game. Kool shot 3-for-5 from the field and 2-for-2 at the free throw line during the run.

The Chippewas tried to fight their way back with an 8-2 run but was quickly silenced after a layup from Joe Reitz along with shooting 2-for-2 from the line sandwiched around a three-pointer from Andre Ricks, the Broncos took a 15-point lead with 3:35 left in the half, 26-11.

Reitz scored with four seconds remaining in the half to put WMU up 13, 30-17.

Western Michigan's defense was able to hold Central Michigan to only 19.4 percent shooting (6-for-31) in the half, while the Broncos were able to shoot 40.0 percent (10-for-25) and 90.0 percent from the free-throw line (9-for-10).

Central Michigan came out hard in the second half exchanging baskets with the Broncos and were able to bring the score within 10 points but would not get any closer the rest of the game after Ricks connected on another shot from behind the arc with 11:57 left in the game to put WMU up 13, 42-29.

With both teams in foul trouble early in the second half, the Chippewas shot 16-for-22 from behind the line (72.7 percent) while the Broncos added 19-for-22 (86.4 percent).

Western Michigan took their biggest lead of the game after Shawntes Gary added a fast-break dunk followed by a layup from Derek Fracalossi to go ahead by 23 points with 2:02 in the game, 70-47.

Martelle McLemore was the last to score for the Broncos after shooting 2-for-2 ending with a Western Michigan victory over arch-rivals Central Michigan, 72-52.

Reitz joined Kool in double figures with 17 points and a game-high nine rebounds.

Central Michigan was led by Marko Spica with 10 points and four rebounds.

Western Michigan travels to Ohio to take on Kent State Sunday, Jan. 27th at 2 p.m.

QUOTES

Central Michigan head coach Ernie Zeigler

(On the game) "We lost to a better team. The more physical, the more tough, the more mentally tough, physical team won and Western Michigan is a better basketball team than Central Michigan. Steve Hawkins did an excellent job. He and his staff outcoached us, they out-toughed us, they outplayed us, they out-everythinged us and we have to start over."

WMU guard David Kool

(On his performance) "I just came out and tried to assert myself early. I just had a lot of good looks early and tried to force it to the basket a couple times to get myself going and I think my teammates did a good job of finding me too."

(On the improvement defensively) "I just think we are doing a good job of overall team defense and help side and everything and boxing out. We're just really concentrating hard on that in practice and everybody's helping each other out. It's not just one guy knocking down another guy. It's the whole team helping each other out. We're making plays on and off the ball. I think the key is everyone knows where everyone else is going to be."

(On being 4-1 in the MAC) "It's a big win for us. We've got to keep our momentum going into the East. They've got a lot of great teams over there, we've just got to keep playing well and try to beat up on them a little bit."

WMU center Joe Reitz

(On the good play of the defense) "I think we've definitely found the identity of this team, which is to play tough, physical defense and rebound the basketball and keep our turnovers low. That's what we've been doing throughout the first stretch of MAC games and that's why we've been getting these results."

WMU head coach Steve Hawkins

(On the game) "Obviously, its a really big win for us on a number of fronts. There's the rivalry part of things which is a lot of fun for our fans. A lot of fun for our kids. More importantly, to finish the first round of MAC West play 4-1 and to not lose a home game during that stretch is critical."