KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO) – Shayne Whittington is making the most of his opportunity in the starting lineup. Against Ohio earlier this week he had a career high with 13 rebounds. Today against Miami (OH) Whittington finished with a career high 16 points to go along with 11 rebounds for his first career double-double as the Broncos topped the Redhawks 73-64.

With the win the Broncos improved to 9-0 at home and moved into a tie for 2^nd place in the MAC West.

Flendard Whitfield tied his season high of 22 points as he and Whittington were unstoppable in the low post.

“We didn’t expect Whittington to do what he did,” Miami head coach Charlie Cole said. “Whittington was marvelous. Whitfield was marvelous. They did a great job.”

Whitfield gave everyone a scare when he landed on his ankle awkwardly in the first half. After heading to the bench for a few minutes he reentered the game and scored 15 of his 22 points in the first half.

“It was my mandatory tweak,” Whitfield said jokingly of the ankle injury. “I think I’ve tweaked it every game since I’ve been back. I stretched it out it out a little bit, but it’s one of those things. I had to keep battling.”  

The first half was one of the weirdest 20 minutes of basketball anyone had ever seen before. Miami missed all 11 attempts from inside the 3 point line but made 11 of 13 from 3 point land, including 8 in a row to start the game. Miami did not score their first 2 point shot until the 18:10 mark of the 2^nd half.

WMU took a 36-35 lead into halftime and came out strong in the 2^nd, extending their lead to as much as 15 with 10:36 remaining in the game.

The Broncos were without Demetrius Ward for the first time all season after he hyperextended his knee against Ohio. Ward will be reevaluated on Monday. Austin Richie started in place of Ward and finished with 13 points in 36 minutes. Mike Douglas also scored in double figures as he had 12.

GAME NOTES: WMU had only 8 turnovers after averaging 19 turnovers their previous 3 games…Miami finished with 30 attempts from downtown, making half of them…Brian Sullivan and Julian Mavunga led the way for the Redhawks with 20 and 19 points respectively…Today was Hayden Hoerdemann’s birthday. He went scoreless in 15 minutes, missing his only field goal attempt; a 3 pointer…Mo Conteh injured his calf in the 1^st half and didn’t return. Conteh injured the same calf 2 years ago and missed considerable time with the injury…The Broncos return to action on Wednesday as the Bowling Green Falcons make a trip to Kalamazoo. Game time is set for 7pm.