Western Michigan holds off New Mexico St from the line, 70-64, to win Rainbow Classic opener
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David Brown scored a career-high 25 points, including a pair of clutch free throws with two seconds left to lift Western Michigan past New Mexico State in a first-round game at the Rainbow Classic Friday.
The Aggies cut the Western Michigan lead to two points with 18 seconds left, but Connar Tava started a run of five straight free throws by converting a pair to make it 67-64. After New Mexico State was whistled for a technical foul with :02 left Brown converted a pair of free throws to make it 69-64 and Austin Richie hit the first of two to finish the scoring.
Kellen McCormick had 14 points and Richie added 10 for the Broncos.
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Tshilidzi Nephawe had 18 points and eight rebounds to lead the New Mexico State. Kevin Aronis missed a 3-point attempt with :08 left that would have tied the game.