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KALAMAZOO -- Andrew Hershberger posted new career-highs with 25 points and 11 rebounds in leading Western Michigan to an 82-62 win over Northwood in front of 2,398 fans at University Arena Saturday afternoon. Preseason All-MAC West selection Joe Reitz notched his fifth career double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds to help the Broncos (1-0) clinch their 15th consecutive regular season victory over a non-conference opponent at home.
Western Michigan took control early in building a 17-point lead, 22-5, with 14:22 remaining in the period as Hersberger scored nine of his points during the run. The Timberwolves (0-1) cut the lead to 13, 30-17, with 8:44 remaining on a three-pointer by Aaron Simpson, but WMU responded with a 10-2 run over 3:16 to take its largest lead of the game, 40-19, with 5:28 on the clock. Northwood bounced back with an 11-5 run to close the half down by 15, 45-30.
Northwood came out in the second half and pulled to within 12 points, 49-37, with 17:54 remaining but Western Michigan regained control and pulled the lead back out to 18 points, 60-42, on a layup by Brian Snider. The Timberwolves cut the lead to 12, 68-56, one more time with 6:19 remaining before WMU closed the game on a 14-6 run to claim the victory.
WMU shot over 70 percent from the field for much of the first half and finished the contest shooting 50 percent from the field. The Broncos also dominated inside scoring 49 points in the paint to just 23 for Northwood and they won the rebound battle, 41-28. Western Michigan forced 19 Northwood turnovers that were converted into 24 points by the Broncos.
Stane's Bufford also finished in double figures for WMU with 10 points and Snider delivered a career-high nine assists to go along with six points, six rebounds and two steals.
Five freshman debuted for the Broncos as Shawntes Gary, Andre Ricks, Derek Drews, Donald Cloutier and Kristof Kendrick all saw action. Gary started for the Broncos and contribued seven points, three rebounds and two blocks while Drews and Ricks scored five points each.
Aaron Simpson led Northwood with 11 points off the bench and A.J. Jones added 10 points for the Timberwolves.
The Broncos are back in action Wednesday night at University Arena as they host Northern Iowa (0-0) in a rematch of last season's Bracket Buster game. Tipoff against the Panthers is set for 7 p.m.
