NICEVILLE, FLA.— Forward Owen Lobsinger scored a career-high 25 points to lead Western Michigan to a 72-66 victory past Mercer in the Emerald Coast Classic Saturday afternoon at Raiders Arena on the campus of Northwest Florida State College.
It marked the second straight win for the Broncos who opened the season with four straight losses.
Western Michigan overcame a 36-32 halftime deficit by making eight of its first 12 shots to open the second half.
Owning a 60-58 lead with 6:07 left, Mercer went through a 5 minute 36-second drought without a basket late in the game missing seven straight shots before a running layup by Robby Carmody stopped the cold streak with 31 seconds left.
That enabled Western Michigan to grab a 69-65 lead.
Western Michigan shot a season-high 52.9 percent from the floor, making 27 of 51 shots. The Broncos also out rebounded Mercer, 32-27, with Lobsinger collecting a game-high eight rebounds.
Lobsinger made four of five shots beyond the three-point arc. Western Michigan guard Seth Hubbard popped in 17 points.
Forward Jalyn McCreary led Mercer with 16 points along with four assists. Carmody added 14 points.
Trailing 10-7, Mercer scored 14 unanswered points to grab a 21-10 advantage. Carmody triggered the scoring run with back-to-back three point baskets.
Western Michigan returns home next Friday to host St. Thomas, while Mercer plays at Georgia on that same day.
