It was a thrilling game filled with intense moments, featuring 13 ties and 11 lead changes. With just over two minutes remaining, Kent State surged ahead with a six-point run, making it 74-69. But Chansey Willis Jr. answered back, driving to the basket for a three-point play that brought the score to 75-74 with a little over a minute left.
After successfully making two free throws, Willis put Western Michigan back in the lead at 76-75. However, Kent State quickly regained control with two free throws in the final seconds, closing the game at 77-76. Willis attempted a last-second shot, but it did not go in.
Willis was the standout player yet again, leading the team with 24 points and tying his career high with eight assists. Markhi Strickland also made his mark, contributing 10 points along with his first career double-double, grabbing 10 rebounds.
The game started with Kent State striking first, taking an early lead. But Western Michigan fought back; Brandon Muntu’s back-to-back threes tied the game at 19-19. By the end of the first half, Owen Lobsinger’s three-pointer and Seryee Lewis’s three-point play had put WMU ahead briefly at 37-33. Yet, Kent State finished strong, leading 42-39 at halftime.
The second half saw Max Burton narrow the gap to 42-41, but Kent State pushed their lead to 50-43—the largest margin of the night. A six-point surge from Willis later tied the game again at 60-60 with seven minutes left. Both teams traded points until they ended up tied again at 65-65 with just over five minutes on the clock.
Western Michigan shot 42.6% from the field (26-of-61), while Kent State managed 35.8% (24-of-67).
Before the game, WMU honored their seniors: Donovan Williams, Brandon Muntu, Markhi Strickland, Owen Lobsinger, and Jack Stefanski.
Western Michigan will close out the regular season on Friday against Bowling Green, with the game starting at 7 PM on ESPN+.
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