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Western Michigan University Athletics

WMU Reaches Century-Mark in Victory over Alma

Men's Basketball Matt Vader, media relations staff assistant

WMU Reaches Century-Mark in Victory over Alma

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Western Michigan University rode a balanced scoring effort to its first 100-point game since 2008 in a 109-50 victory over Alma College in front of 2,319 fans at University Arena Saturday afternoon. 

Every Bronco that played scored in the effort, marking the first time the team reached the century mark since a 100-90 double-overtime victory at Buffalo on Jan. 19, 2008. Over half of the Broncos' points came from players that came off the bench, as WMU's bench players totaled 59 points to help improve the team's record to 2-4. The Broncos used a big 14-0 run to bust the game open in the first half, and rode a 56 percent shooting effort to the victory. WMU also shot a season-high 48 percent from three-range on the afternoon. 

Matt Stainbrook notched his first career double-double for the Brown & Gold, tying a career-high with 16 points on 8-11 shooting and grabbing a career-high 11 rebounds. It was the first double-double by a Bronco since Donald Lawson accomplished the feat with 13 points and 10 rebounds against Northern Illinois on Feb. 17, 2010.

Four other Broncos also reached career-highs in scoring, with Juwan Howard Jr. scoring 15 and Caleb Dean adding 14, both off the bench. Dean also notched a career-high nine rebounds. Other Broncos reaching career-highs were Nick Stapert and Dan Loney, each of whom scored their first collegiate points. Loney scored six points to go along with a career-high six rebounds, while Stapert added four points on a layup and pair of free throws. Nate Hutcheson also reached double figures for WMU, with 10 points on 4-6 shooting.

Today's game also marked the sixth-straight game WMU had at least three players score in double figures to open the season and the first time WMU had four players in double figures on the scoreboard since the Feb. 17, 2010 match up with the Huskies.

In the decisive run, the Broncos got back-to-back threes from Howard and were sparked by a tough defensive effort that forced a shot-clock violation and two turnovers during the stretch. For the game, the Broncos held the Scots to 20-64 shooting (31 percent) and forced 17 turnovers. Alma entered the game shooting 41 percent from three-land, but tough perimeter defense by the Broncos held the Scots to just 20 percent (4-for-20) on the afternoon.

Also keying the run were a couple put-backs by Dean and Stainbrook on offensive rebounds. The Broncos used their height to their advantage on their way to outrebounding the Scots 53-29, with 20 of those rebounds coming on the offensive end. That advantage on the glass helped WMU hold a 24-8 edge in second-chance points and a 60-20 advantage on points in the paint. 

Alma was led in scoring by Cory Schneider with nine points on 3-8 shooting. The Scots fell to 2-3 after their only matchup with a Division I opponent this season.

WMU will look to carry its momentum into a home contest with the Detroit Titans at University Arena Wednesday night. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. with radio coverage being provided by the Bronco Radio Network.

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Players Mentioned

Donald Lawson

#33 Donald Lawson

C
6' 9"
Freshman
Nate Hutcheson

#11 Nate Hutcheson

F
6' 7"
Freshman
Nick Stapert

#52 Nick Stapert

C
6' 8"
Freshman
Caleb Dean

#30 Caleb Dean

C
6' 9"
Junior
Juwan Howard Jr.

#2 Juwan Howard Jr.

F
6' 6"
Freshman
Dan Loney

#42 Dan Loney

F
6' 4"
Sophomore
Matt Stainbrook

#40 Matt Stainbrook

C
6' 9"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Donald Lawson

#33 Donald Lawson

6' 9"
Freshman
C
Nate Hutcheson

#11 Nate Hutcheson

6' 7"
Freshman
F
Nick Stapert

#52 Nick Stapert

6' 8"
Freshman
C
Caleb Dean

#30 Caleb Dean

6' 9"
Junior
C
Juwan Howard Jr.

#2 Juwan Howard Jr.

6' 6"
Freshman
F
Dan Loney

#42 Dan Loney

6' 4"
Sophomore
F
Matt Stainbrook

#40 Matt Stainbrook

6' 9"
Freshman
C