2016 MAC Men’s Basketball Recap: Western Michigan Broncos Fall to Boise State Broncos, 91-70

The game was competitive for the first half. with BSU holding a 39-35 edge. BSU’s Chandler Hutchinson led all scorers and rebounders with 10 and 9, respectively. Both teams spread the scoring around.

WMU shot 12-32 from the floor. They were working their motion offense, and getting the shots they wanted, they just weren’t dropping. BSU was having better luck, shooting 16-29. Those Broncos also held the rebounding edge, 22-14.

In the second half, BSU started to pull away early, taking an 11 point lead. At the 16:43 mark, Brandon Johnson was called for a travel. Coach Hawkins, unhappy with the call, got a double technical, and was ejected from the game.

Aside from the call, I think Coach Hawkins was frustrated with how things were going the entire tournament. WMU was getting good shots that just didn’t drop. That’s like suffering a bad beat in a poker game. Once or twice, you expect it. After one too many in a row, even the most seasoned pro can lose their cool.

After that, WMU checked out mentally. They played hard, diving for balls and trying on defense, but you could see the light was on and nobody was home. With 4 free throws, and possession, BSU extended their lead and never looked back.

Thomas Wilder led Western Michigan scorers with 14. Drake LaMont added 12 points and 5 rebounds. 11 WMU Broncos scored in the game.

Hutchinson finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds for Boise State. Paris Austin shot a perfect 6-6 from the floor and 5-5 from the line for BSU to add 17.

Boise shot 59% from the floor, while WMU could only manage 37%. BSU extended their halftime rebounding edge to 41-26.

WMU will get some much needed rest, not facing Central Arkansas (0-3) until Saturday, the 26th. This will be WMU’s second home game of the season.