Men's Basketball | August 26, 2016

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WAREGEM, Belgium- Western Michigan played its best of its first three games in Europe. Friday, Aug. 26, defeating Waregem, 73-58. The Broncos conclude their stay in Belgium and head off to France for the final five days of their trip tomorrow.

Waregem was the most talented team Western Michigan has faced abroad and the Belgiums opened the game with a 19-9 run in the first quarter. WMU allowed only three points defensively over the next 10 minutes to claw its way back and pull within one at halftime, 22-21. After trailing by 10 points in the opening quarter, the Broncos went on to outscore Waregem 40-17 over the second and third quarters, building a sizable lead in the beginning of the second half.

Senior Tucker Haymond jump-started the Broncos out of the break, firing in three 3-pointers as he pumped in 11 straight points to help WMU take over the game. Haymond ended the evening with 20 points and 12 rebounds (both game highs), as well as three steals and one assist.

Redshirt freshman Joeviair Kennedy also showcased his dynamic ability, hitting a pair of three's and taking the ball to the rim for six more points in the second half. Kennedy was the Broncos' second leading scorer with 15 points total.

Sophomore center Seth Dugan was the third player for Western Michigan in double figures, tallying 11 points and eight rebounds. Junior Thomas Wilder had eight points and three assists.

"Tonight we looked more like a team," said WMU head coach Steve Hawkins. "They are starting to learn how to play off each other and we really needed that tonight because this is by far the best team we have played since we have been here.

"What I am most pleased about is that we had to do it with our defense. We weren't knocking down shots early, but our defense was stingy. The defense led us out into our break, which with this team is really important because we have really good individual talent."

The Broncos began their day Friday with cultural experiences in Ghent, Belgium, where their hotel is located. The team visited the Gravensteen Castle, built by the count of Flanders, Philip of Alscae, in 1180. The castle contained a crypt, a dungeon, a court museum and an exhibition of historical weapons and arms. WMU also toured the St. Bavo Cathedral which combines Romanesque and Gothic architecture and is best known for housing the 15th century polytych, Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.

The Broncos depart Belgium tomorrow morning and take roughly a five-hour bus ride to the Normandy region of France, arriving in Deauville. WMU will spend a day and a half in the region, visiting the D-Day beaches and WWII memorials. The Broncos start the final leg of their trip Sunday afternoon, heading to Paris where they will play their final game a day later against Sceaux. The team returns back to the United States on Aug. 31.


Game format was four 10-minute quarters
Q1: Waregem 19, WMU 9
Q2: Waregem 22, WMU 21 (end of 1st half)
Q3: WMU 50, Waregem 35
Q4: WMU 73, Waregem 58 (final)

WMU Player Stats
0 Bryce Moore: 3r/1a/1s
1 Tucker Haymond: 20p/12r/1a/3s
2 Joeviair Kennedy: 15p/1a/1s
3 Josh Davis: 3p/3r/1a/1s
4 Jared Printy: 2p/1r/1a
10 Thomas Wilder: 8p/3a/1s
11 Ryan Wade: 3p/1a
13 Brandon Allen: DNP
23 Reggie Jones: 2p/3r/1a/1s
24 Adida Ikongshul: 4p/7r
35 Brandon Johnson: 2p/4r
42 Drake LaMont: 2p
50 Seth Dugan: 11p/8r