Feb. 18, 2003

Final Stats| Notes

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - Ben Reed scored a season-high 25 points, including two free throws with 2 seconds left, to lead Western Michigan to a 67-64 win over Toledo on Tuesday night.

Reed, last year's Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year who hadn't scored more than 10 points in his last 12 games, hit five-of-six 3-pointers as Western (15-7, 7-6 MAC) defeated Toledo for the first time in four seasons.

Redshirt freshman guard Sammy Villegas led Toledo with 17 points as the Rockets lost for the fourth time in five games. Junior guard Keith Triplett and senior guard Nick Moore also were in double figures with 15 and 12 points, respectively.

The first 10 minutes of the second half were a nip-and-tuck affair until a 10-0 run gave the Broncos a 58-50 advantage with seven minutes remaining. The Rockets were able to reduce their deficit to three on a three-point play by Moore and two Triplett free throws but junior forward Ricardo Thomas missed a layup with 4:40 remaining that would have brought UT within a point. Western capitalized on the miss with a three-pointer from Reed and a dunk from Terrance Slater to take a 63-55 advantage with four minutes remaining.

The Rockets fought back though and began their comeback attempt with a pair of Triplett free throws with 2:23 remaining. Villegas then connected on one of two free throws with 1:46 left to cut UT's deficit to five. Following a Bronco turnover, Moore's layup made the score 65-62 with 1:09 remaining.

WMU's Robby Collum then failed to connect on a three-pointer with 33 seconds remaining to give Toledo a chance to tie the game. It appeared the Rockets would do just that when Triplett knocked down a 15-foot jumper from the left baseline with 10.4 seconds left and was fouled. However, Triplett missed the free throw after he had made his six attempts from the line in the contest. Sophomore Phil Alexander grabbed the offensive board off Triplett's miss but his shot was blocked by WMU's Jeff Bronson and the Broncos picked up the loose ball.

Reed then missed the front end of a one-and-one with 4.5 seconds remaining but came up with his own rebound and went back to the line with 2.1 seconds left and knocked down both of his shots.

The Rockets return to action on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 4:30 p.m. when it hosts Eastern Michigan in the first game of a doubleheader. The Rocket women will take on the Eagles at 7:00 p.m.