Central Michigan University
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Western Michigan
Chippewas Fall To Rival Broncos, 68-57
2/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 25, 2006
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - Stane's Bufford scored 17 points to lead Western Michigan to a 68-57 win over rival Central Michigan on Saturday.
The win moved the Broncos (13-14, 10-6 Mid-American Conference) into sole possession of first place in the MAC West with two games remaining.
Western Michigan rallied from an early eight-point deficit as the Broncos made just one basket in the game's first six minutes. Runs of 9-0 and 8-0 brought a halftime tie, then a 14-2 Western Michigan run in the second put the game away.
Brian Snider added 14 points for Western Michigan and Joe Reitz had 12.
Giordan Watson scored a game-high 19 points for the Chippewas (4-21, 1-15), which lost to Western Michigan for the 11th time in the last 13 meetings in Kalamazoo. Central Michigan has won just twice in the last two months.
The game featured a players' scuffle in front of the Western bench that led to double technical fouls. There were 46 total fouls, 44 turnovers and both of Central Michigan's starting forwards fouled out.
Central Michigan's Chris Kellermann scored all 14 of his points in the first half, but was shut down in the second half.
