Western Michigan defeats UW-Milwaukee, 72-61

KALAMAZOO (AP) -- Matt Stainbrook had 21 points and eight rebounds and Demetrius Ward added 17 points to lead Western Michigan to a 72-61 victory against Milwaukee on Tuesday night.

Austin Richie and Nate Hutcheson scored 10 points each for the Broncos (6-8) in their final tuneup before the start of Mid-American Conference play.

Paris Gulley had 16 points, Kyle Kelm 15 and Tony Meier 13 for Milwaukee (10-6). Kaylon Williams dished out 12 assists.

Stainbrook's tip-in with 7:28 remaining gave Western Michigan the lead for good, 51-49. The Panthers went scoreless for 3:57 as free throws by Stainbrook and Richie helped the Broncos build a seven-point cushion.

Milwaukee got within four points on Kelm's 3-pointer, but Hutcheson hit from behind the arc with 1:34 left to make it 62-55.

With the Panthers forced to foul, Western Michigan pulled away at the free-throw line.