MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Chris Fowler scored 17 points, dished out nine assists and led Central Michigan to a 70-65 comeback win over Western Michigan on Saturday that gave the Chippewa's sole possession of second place in the Mid-American West.

Rayshawn Simmons contributed 13 points and Austin Steward added 11 for Central Michigan (16-5, 6-4), which trailed by nine at the break but outscored Western Michigan 40-26 over the final 20 minutes.

The Chippewas overtook Western Michigan (14-9, 5-5) during a 15-7 run midway through the second capped by back-to-back buckets from Fowler, making it 59-54 with 5:12 left. The Broncos tied it at 61 less than 3 minutes later with David Brown's layup, but John Simons sank a 3-pointer at the other end to put Central Michigan ahead for good.

Brown and Drake Lamont led Western Michigan with 17 points apiece, while Connar Tava and Thomas Wilder each had 12.