KALAMAZOO, Mich. -In a game where the Western Michigan was missing its big man in the middle for all but 10 minutes, the Broncos shot 66.7 percent from the field in the second half to build a 16-point lead, eventually defeating Eastern Illinois, 69-60, in front of 2,846 fans at University Arena on Friday afternoon.
Western Michigan, playing in only its fifth ever game on New Year's Eve, battled with the rim during the opening 20 minutes, making just 9-of-32 shots. Despite that, the Bronco defense stepped up to the task, holding the Panthers to 10-of-28 shooting and just 23 points. After a layup to open the second half, WMU rattled off the game's next seven points to capture its first of four double digit leads for the game.
The Broncos were held together offensively during the first half, in part, by the points generated by Juwan Howard Jr. The true freshman was 4-for-8 from the field and perfect 4-for-4 from the line, finishing the game 8-for-8 from the line. With the Broncos leading, 16-14, with 5:26 to go before the break, Howard scored WMU's next next seven points on a jumper, three-point FG and a pair of free throws, helping his team extend its lead to 23-16 with 3:34 to go. Howard recorded his first career double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. He also matched a career high with four assists, all four coming in the second half.
After a missed three pointer by Demetrius Ward and a turnover by Nate Hutcheson, Western Michigan scored on each of its next three possessions. Flenard Whitfield, who finished a rebound shy of his fifth career double-double, knocked down a pair of jumpers and Mike Douglas followed with a three-point FG to give the Broncos a 35-25 lead at the 16:24 mark.
Douglas, who was 5-for-7 from the field for 11 points, scored in double figures for the fourth time this season and fifth time in his career. He also dished nine assists, missing his first career double-double by one helper.
Both teams improved their respective field goal percentages in the second half with WMU's 66.7 percent helping it to shoot 44.6 percent for the game. EIU's 53.3 percent in the second half helped the Panthers to shoot just a little better than WMU, 44.8 from the field for the game. EIU also three players in double figures, led by Curry McKinney's 17 points. James Hollowell and Jeremy Granger followed with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Western Michigan also boasted three players in double figures on the scoreboard, marking the 12th time that has happened in a game this season. Three players were perfect from the field in the second half for WMU led by Whitfield knocking down 6-of-6 shots. Douglas was 4-for-4 in the second half, while Muhammed Conteh, who earned his first career start, was 2-for-2, finishing with five points.
The Panthers made things interesting in the late stages of the game. Trailing 65-49 with 50 seconds on the clock, EIU scored 11 of the game's next 13 points, draining three shots from beyond the arc, cutting Western Michigan's lead to 67-60 with 17 seconds remaining. Twice Howard went to the free throw line and calmly sank two attempts, once putting WMU back up by 12 with 38 seconds on the clock and again to give the Broncos their margin of victory with 13 seconds remaining.
Western Michigan will have eight days to prepare for its Mid-American Conference opener at University Arena on Jan. 9. The Broncos take on rival Central Michigan at 2 p.m. Fans that are not able to make it to the game can listen on the Bronco Radio Network or watch the action live by subscribing to Bronco Insider.
A reminder that Coach Hawkins will be holding a live chat on Thursday, Jan. 6 from 12-1 p.m. Please go to www.wmubroncos.com/mbasketball to access.
