W. Michigan beats N. Illinois for back-to-back wins (Feb 11, 2017)
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) Thomas Wilder scored 17 points and Western Michigan won back-to-back games for just the second time this season with a 76-67 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday night.
Tucker Haymond finished with 16 points and Seth Dugan had 13 for Western Michigan (8-15, 4-7 Mid-American Conference), which has won three of four overall.
Neither team shot the ball particularly well, each finishing with just 22 field goals. But the Broncos hit eight more free throws and held a 6-5 advantage in 3-point shooting.
Eugene German led all scorers with 20 points for Northern Illinois (14-10, 6-5).
Northern Illinois stormed back from a 10-point halftime shortfall to take a 39-36 lead with 14:32 left. The Broncos quickly answered, stringing together a 9-0 stretch to regain a 45-39 advantage.
Western Michigan did not trail again; though the game remained close the rest of the way. Three free throws by Wilder and Haymond made it 73-63 in the final minute and sealed it.
