WMU's Flenard Whitfield suspended for Saturday's game
Western Michigan will be without one of its top scorers in one of its biggest games of the season this weekend.
The Mid-American Conference handed WMU junior forward Flenard Whitfield a one-game suspension Thursday, forcing him to miss Saturday's game against CMU.
The suspension comes after the 6-foot-7, 230 pounder was involved in an incident with Ball State's Randy Davis during WMU's 87-70 win Wednesday at University Arena in Kalamazoo. Early in the second half, the pair fell to the ground and a brawl ensued between both teams, during which Whitfield choked Davis.
Conference officials released the following in a statement: "The MAC determined that Whitfield’s actions in the second half during the Ball State contest violated the conference bylaws and sport operating codes section 8.03 (Any person who strikes or physically abuses an official, opposing coach or player)."
Neither player was ejected.
Whitfield ranks second in scoring for WMU, averaging 13.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. He was held to six points and three rebounds in the Broncos' 63-56 win over the Chippewas on Jan. 9 in Kalamazoo.
A win Saturday would give the Broncos sole possession of the MAC West title.
Tip-off between CMU and WMU is 2 p.m. Saturday at McGuirk Arena.
