ESPN Men's Basketball

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Derek Drews scored a game-high 17 points, including four 3-pointers, leading Western Michigan to a 71-52 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday afternoon.

Michael Redell also hit four 3-pointers as Western Michigan (6-10, 3-0 Mid-American) totaled a season-best 14 3-pointers on 14-of-28 shooting and won its third consecutive game. Redell scored a season-high 15 points.

Sean Kowal led Northern Illinois (5-10, 1-2) with 14 points, and Sean Smith and Darion Anderson each added 11.

Western Michigan freshman center LaMarcus Lowe came off the bench to grab a game-high eight rebounds. Western Michigan's bench outscored the Northern Illinois bench, 22-5.

David Kool added 12 points for Western Michigan and Andre Ricks had 11.

Western Michigan never trailed, scoring the game's first five points and cruising ahead by 20 in the last minute of the first half.