GAME NOTES: The best in the East Division will collide with the best of the West Division, as the Kent State Golden Flashes host the Western Michigan Broncos this afternoon in a key Mid-American Conference tilt at the M.A.C. Center. The Broncos have played extremely well over the past few weeks, and have won five of their last six games, including three in a row. The last time WMU was on the court, the team pounded Central Michigan, 72-52. The recent win over the Chippewas pushed the Broncos' league mark to 4-1, which is tops in the West Division. While WMU is 10-8 on the year, the squad has struggled on the road, posting a mere 3-6 ledger. As for the Golden Flashes, they have won five of their last six contests, including a hard-fought, 75-69 win over Akron this past Wednesday. Kent State is also 4-1 in conference play, and is currently tied for the top spot in the East Division with Akron. The Golden Flashes have been tremendous at home this season, winning all 11 of their games at the M.A.C. Center. The Golden Flashes posted a 75-66 victory over the Broncos last season to bring the all-time series mark to an even 53-53.

The Broncos were sensational this past Wednesday, as the team clobbered Central Michigan, 72-52. In the 20-point victory, the Broncos shot 44.4 percent from the field and made 28-of-32 attempts from the foul line. David Kool led the charge with 18 points, while Joe Reitz added 17 points to go along with nine rebounds. Reitz and Kool have been the top two performers for WMU throughout the season. Reitz is not only leading the team with 14.6 ppg, but the center is also collecting a team-high 7.5 rpg. As for Kool, he is shooting 43.9 percent on the year and is posting 13.8 ppg. As a whole, Western Michigan is averaging a mediocre 70.3 ppg.

The Flashes are one of the toughest defensive teams in the MAC, and are currently surrendering just 62.4 ppg. The team has been impressive at the other end of the floor, betting 69.6 ppg, while shooting 46.9 percent from the field. Mike Scott has been sensational thus far for KSU, as the forward is netting 14.0 ppg to go along with 6.3 rpg. Al Fisher has run the show on the floor for the Flashes, leading the way with 82 assists to go along with 12.1 ppg. The main source of production in the paint has been Haminn Quaintance, who is chipping in 10.8 ppg to go along with 7.8 rpg and 44 blocks, both of which are team-highs. The last time the Flashes were on the floor the team grabbed a six- point win over Akron. In the victory, KSU shot a staggering 57.5 percent from the field and made 24-of-31 attempts from the foul line. Scott and Chris Singletary both scored 18 points apiece, while Fisher chipped in 16 points. As for Quaintance, he posted a double-double, netting 12 points to go along with 10 rebounds.

The Golden Flashes are extremely tough at both ends of the floor and in front of their home crowd, the team is nearly impossible to beat. Expect the Broncos to keep the game close for a while, but do not expect them to have much luck in grabbing a win.