Chippewas fall to Western Michigan, 81-68
MT. PLEASANT (AP) -- Western Michigan clinched the outright Mid-American West title and a No. 2 seed in the conference tournament with an 81-68 victory over Central Michigan on Saturday.
The Broncos (19-11, 11-5) won their fourth straight game and earned a bye in the opening round of the MAC tournament. They will play their first game Thursday against the winner of the game between No. 7 Bowling Green and No. 10 Northern Illinois.
Central Michigan (10-20, 7-9) finishes as the No. 9 seed and will face No. 8 Buffalo in the first round on Tuesday.
Mike Douglas led Western Michigan with 28 points. Juwan Howard Jr. added 19 and Matt Stainbrook had 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Jalin Thomas had 25 points to lead the Chippewas, who trailed 40-31 at halftime and never got closer than five points the rest of the way.
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