KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Shayne Whittington scored 22 points and hauled in a game-high 17 rebounds as Western Michigan held on to defeat Alabama A&M 73-69 Sunday.

The Broncos (3-1) closed the first half on a 24-13 run to take a 40-26 lead at the break. They led by as much as 20 early in the second half and shot 45.8 percent for the game.

Alabama A&M (1-2) surged back to within one with 1:37 remaining after Justin Colvin hit a 3-pointer and a layup.

Western Michigan answered with a jumper by Whittington and Brown hit a layup and two late free throws.

Green Hill split a pair of free throws, and the Bulldogs couldn't connect on a jumper and two 3-point attempts in the final 20 seconds.

Arthur Capers paced Alabama A&M with a game-high 23 points and Demarquelle Tab added 10 with 13 boards.

Brown had 21 points for the Broncos.