Mid-American Conference

Thomas was sensational in leading Kent State to three wins last week, and four over the course of eight days overall. In addition to pacing the Golden Flashes with 18.3 points per game, 3.3 assists per game and a 3.33 assist-to-turnover ratio, Thomas scored 23 points on 70-percent shooting during the final four minutes to come out on top in close games. The busy week started against an up-and-coming NJIT squad that had won its previous 10 home contests. Thomas turned in a career night with 22 points, 6 three-point field goals and 6 assists. All 11 of his second half points came during the final 3:20 of regulation, beginning with a three-pointer to pull within a point of the host. Thomas came up with a steal on the next defensive possession and followed with another three-pointer. Following an NJIT basket and timeout, Thomas drove strong to the basket and was able to finish through contact to put the Flashes back in front. NJIT tied the game once again, but Thomas buried another three-point shot from the top of they key to go ahead for good with 1:12 remaining. The 5'11" guard came up with a big defensive rebound in traffic off a missed NJIT three-pointer with 3.3 to play. Against Canisius on Saturday, Thomas scored 9 points over the final 2:19 to prevent the Golden Griffins from getting within 4. 

As outstanding as he was on offense for the Flashes, he was even better on the defensive end. The three players he primarily defended entered each game combining for an average of 43.1 points per game and were held to just 25 points on 8-for-26 shooting (.308). He held NJIT's Ky Howard (13.4 ppg) to a season-low 2 points and Canisius' Malcolm McMillan (20.0 ppg) to just 6 points on 1-for-10 shooting from the field.

Junior forward Tucker Haymond averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and a steal per game leading Western Michigan to two wins this past week. Haymond shot 64 percent from the floor and hit 42.9 percent from behind the arc. In an 87-86 overtime win over defending Colonial Athletic Association champion Northeastern Monday, Haymond totaled a career-high 26 points on 11-for-17 (64.7%) shooting and recorded five rebounds, two assists and a steal. Haymond also defended Northeastern's David Walker on the final shot in overtime, a miss by Walker that sealed the WMU win. In just 20 minutes of action in WMU's win over Marygrove Saturday, Haymond had 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal. With the two victories, WMU improved its record from 3-5 on the season to 5-5 and stayed undefeated at home in 2015-16 at 4-0.