Northern Illinois 74, Western Michigan 59

Mar 4, 2007, 06:03 pm

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) -- Todd Peterson scored a season-high 24

points and had a career-high 15 rebounds, leading Northern Illinois

to a 74-59 win over Western Michigan on Saturday.

The victory gave the Huskies the Mid-American Conference's

Western Division championship on the final day of the regular

season. Northern Illinois (17-10, 12-6) is the No. 2 seed in the

MAC tournament, which begins Monday.

Peterson converted all three 3-point shots and made 3-of-3 free

throws. Anthony Maestranzi added a career-high 20 points, hitting

four of Northern Illinois' 10 3-point baskets on 6-of-11 shooting.

Joe Reitz scored 14 points for Western (13-16, 10-8), and Andrew

Hershberger added 12 points.

The Broncos were swept by Northern Illinois in their two games

this season, and Saturday's loss was their most lopsided at home in

five years. Western Michigan, the No. 6 seed in the MAC tournament,

hosts No. 11 seed Eastern Michigan on Monday.