KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Austin Richie finished with 19 points, including a key jump shot to cool off an Ohio rally late in the game as Western Michigan held on to defeat the Bobcats 80-69 on Wednesday night.

Western Michigan (16-10, 7-6 Mid-American) shot 52 percent from the field and closed out the final 5- 1/2 minutes on a 15-2 clip after Ohio (9-15, 4-9) had fought into a short-lived 67-65 lead.

Richie, who is back after missing six games to a slow-healing upper-body injury, finished two points shy of his season high. Connar Tava added 15 points, and David Brown and Kellen McCormick had 12 each for the Broncos.

Western Michigan led 38-36 at halftime and Ohio kept it close in the second half, forging four ties. Ryan Taylor drained a 3-pointer to put the Bobcats ahead 67-65. Javarez Willis led the Bobcats with 21 points and Maurice Ndour added 12.