KALAMAZOO, Mich.— The Highlanders played their final non-conference road game Sunday afternoon as the UC Riverside Men's Basketball Team fell 73-64 to host Western Michigan. Sophomore Ajani Kennedy provided a spark off the bench for UCR, notching a career-high 22 points, but the Highlanders struggled to contain the Broncos' big-three.
The battle between the Highlanders and Broncos was a single-digit affair throughout as WMU took a lead mid-way through the first half before the two teams traded punches for the rest of the game. Western Michigan's lead only went as high as 13, while the Highlanders managed to cut that lead down to just four in the second half.
The teams' totals were evenly matched with both shooting right around .390 from the field and forfeiting nine turnovers, but the hustle stats and free throws are where the Broncos separated themselves and maintain te lead throughout.
UCR allowed WMU 11 offensive rebounds, which the team turned into 15 second-chance points, and sent the Broncos to the line to shoot 27 free throws compared to the Highlanders' six.
The Highlander starters struggled in the first half shooting a combined 5-for-16, but their subs would rise to the occasion with Kennedy and sophomore guard Jordan Gilliam getting good minutes off the bench. Gilliam helped get his team organized and provided an athletics presence on defense while Kennedy dropped in 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting (3-of-4 3pt).
UCR would head to the locker room trialing 34-28.
The Broncos came out with a different game plan in the 2nd half playing aggressive offensively and getting to the line after chucking up 18 threes in the first half. They would go 18-for-21 from the stripe in the second half alone and their big three of Michael Flowers, Kawanise Wilkins, and Seth Dugan combined for 56 points in the game.
Kennedy kept the hot hand in the second half adding another nine off of .500 shooting. The sophomore big would end the day with a career high 22 points, six rebounds, three assists, and steal. He was truly efficient for the Highlanders shooting 8-for-13 from the field and 4-for-6 from beyond the arc.
Gilliam added 10 points, three rebounds, three assists, and a steal in his most minutes played since the beginning of the month.
Junior guard Dikymbe Martin was second in scoring with 16 points and added six boards of his own, while freshman forward Zac Watson led the team with eight rebounds and collected two blocks.
With the final non-conference road game in the books, the Highlanders will now host their last game before beginning Big West play. UCR is set to host Bethesda at the SRC Arena on Friday, January 4th at 7 PM.
Tickets are available at
gohighlanders.com/tickets.
