Jan. 5, 2008

Box Score

Western Michigan 86, Northern Illinois 69 in PDF Format

Kalamazoo, Mich.  - Western Michigan junior guard Michael Redell led five Broncos in double-figures with 17 points to help WMU to the 86-69 victory over the Northern Illinois men's basketball team in both teams Mid-American Conference opener at University Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Broncos junior forward Derek Drews and senior center Joe Reitz each posted 14 points, while teammates Shawntes Gary and Derek Fracalossi chipped in 11 points apiece.

With the victory, WMU improves to 7-7 overall and 1-0 in MAC play, while the Huskies fall to 3-10 on the season and 0-1 in conference action.

Turnovers proved to be the Achilles heel for the Huskies, as NIU turned the ball over 20 times on the afternoon and the Broncos scoring 30 points off those miscues.

"This was a great first test for our guys," NIU head men's basketball coach Ricardo Patton said of the Huskies' MAC opener. "I thought our guys came out and played with great intensity.

"We certainly had far too many unforced errors and turnovers," Patton continued. "It's very difficult to go out on the road, turn the ball over 20 times and have a chance to win."

NIU freshman guard Michael Patton (Boulder, Colo./Boulder/Solebury School (PA)) posted a season-best and game-high 20 points and tied a season-high with four three-pointers. Patton's four treys helped NIU to a season-best nine three-pointers on the afternoon.

Junior guard Jarvis Nichols (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North/Pratt C.C.) came off the bench and scored 17 points, while senior forward Shaun Logan (Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott/Kirkwood C.C.) added 13 points and nine rebounds in the loss.

Northern Illinois returns home on Sunday, January 13 as the Huskies welcome MAC West rival Toledo for a 2 p.m. tip-off at the NIU Convocation Center.

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