WMU vs. Loyola-Chicago Game Notes
Pregame
This is the first home game for WMU this season. The Broncos are 53-21 in home openers since the 1936-37 season, including a 35-17 mark in home openers at University Arena.
WMU is a perfect 7-0 in home openers under Steve Hawkins.
Hawkins is seeking his 125th victory at WMU, which ranks third in school history.
Loyola-Chicago leads the all-time series 54-40, owning a 26-21 advantage in games at WMU. The Broncos own a 3-2 advantage under Hawkins, though Loyola has won each of the last two meetings.
Mike Douglas and Flenard Whitfield have each started 35 consecutive games for the Brown & Gold, while Nate Hutcheson has started 23 straight.
Tonight's contest is one of only two home games for WMU in the month of November. The Broncos also host the University of Illinois on Nov. 27.
This is the first road game of the season for Loyola-Chicago. The Ramblers have won their first four home match-ups by an average of 15 points.
The Ramblers are looking to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 1996-97.
WMU Assistant Coach Larry Farmer was head coach at Loyola-Chicago from 1998-2004.
First Half
Loyola starting five: G Courtney Stanley, G Terrence Fill, F Jordan Hicks, F Ben Averkamp and F Walt Gibler.
WMU starting five: PG Mike Douglas, SG Demetrius Ward, SF Nate Hutcheson, PF Flenard Whitfield, C Matt Stainbrook.
WMU controls the opening tip.
WMU takes first home lead of the season at 18:11 on an alley-oop lob from Hutcheson to Whitfield for a dunk.
Sixteen-point deficit is largest deficit faced by WMU this season.
This is the first time WMU has trailed at the half this season.
Second Half
Ward with a season-high in points for WMU.
Whitfield with season-highs in points and rebounds.
Loyola with the most three-pointers made by a WMU opponent this season.
Hutcheson with a season-high in points.
Alex Wolf with the first WMU three-pointer with 3:40 to play in the second half.
Brandon Pokley with his first points of the season on a three-pointer.
Postgame
Ward ties a career-high with 14 points.
Hutcheson with a career high eight rebounds and season-high 12 points.
Whitfield with season-highs in points (17) and rebounds (8).
This is the first loss in a home opener for WMU under Steve Hawkins, who falls to 7-1 in home openers.
WMU has now lost three straight to the Ramblers.
