Flowers blooms, Western Michigan tops UC Riverside 73-64

Dec 31, 2018, 10:45 am

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Sophomore Michael Flowers finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and six assists and Western Michigan turned back UC Riverside 73-64 on Sunday.

Flowers scored half of his points at the free-throw line, sinking 12 of 13 attempts. Fellow sophomore Kawanise Wilkins notched his first double-double for the Broncos (6-7) with 18 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. Seth Dugan pitched in with 14 points, five boards and three assists.

Ajani Kennedy, also a sophomore, topped the Highlanders (5-10) with a career-best 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Dikymbe Martin added 16 points and six rebounds and reserve Jordan Gilliam scored 10.

UC Riverside led just once in the game at 4-2. Flowers and William Boyer-Richard nailed back-to-back 3-pointers to give Western Michigan an 8-4 lead and the Broncos stayed in front the rest of the way. The Highlanders pulled within 69-62 on a Gilliam 3-pointer with 40 seconds remaining, but Wilkins hit two free throws and Dugan scored on a dunk to cap the scoring.

It was the first meeting between the schools. Riverside fell to 0-8 away from home this season.