Jan. 2, 2008
Final Stats
KALAMAZOO, MICH. - North Carolina Central University gave Western Michigan University a scare through the first 16 minutes of the game, but the Broncos eventually cruised to a 79-43 victory over the first-year Division I Eagles inside University Arena in Kalamazoo, Mich.
NCCU held a 17-16 advantage when senior forward Charles Futrell hit a three-pointer with 4:46 left in the first half.
WMU responded by scoring the final 12 points before intermission, including a back-breaking, buzzer-beating triple by Derek Drews, to give the hosts a 28-17 edge at halftime.
The Broncos continued their momentum in the second half, opening with an 11-4 run to extend the lead to 39-21 at the 15:49 mark. The visiting Eagles did not cut into the deficit the rest of the way.
NCCU junior guard Bryan Ayala recorded a team-high 15 points, along with four assists, three steals and two rebounds, while senior forward Charles Futrell added 12 points and a team-best eight boards.
WMU (6-7) was topped by David Kool with 17 points, while Drews finished with 13 points and Joe Reitz contributed 13 points and nine rebounds.
NCCU (1-18) returns the North Carolina to play at East Carolina University on Saturday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. The game will be televised throughout the state on Time Warner Cable (check local listings).
