WMU at NIU Post-Game Notes

PRE-GAME

• Western Michigan leads the all-time series, 47-29, with the Broncos boasting a 30-8 advantage in home games.  WMU is 15-18 in road games against the Huskies
• Despite starting its second rotation through the MAC West, Western Michigan still has one more game against the MAC East, making up a game at home against Kent State on Feb. 21 with a chance to go 4-2 against the East
• WMU set a new program and University record with 11 blocks against Ohio
• Demetrius Ward set a new career high with six made 3-pt field goals against Ohio and has now scored in double figures in his last eight games
• Ward has made 33 consecutive free throws dating back to the first half at Miami, leaving him nine-straight made free throws from breaking David Kool's program record of 41
• Flenard Whitfield earned Western Michigan's second MAC West Player of the Week nod of the season with a career high 27 points and 11 rebounds for the fifth double-double of his career
• Juwan Howard Jr. swatted a career high six blocks against Ohio
• Northern Illinois was one of six one-possession wins for Western Michigan this season with the Broncos defeating the Huskies, 82-80, at home on Jan. 22
• The game at NIU is Western Michigan's last road game until Feb. 27 as the Broncos will face Illinois State (2/19), Kent State (2/21) and Toledo (2/23) at University Arena
• The next win for the Broncos will give head coach Steve Hawkins 275 in his coaching career

FIRST HALF

• Demetrius Ward scores in double figures for the ninth-straight game
• Western Michigan held NIU without a field goal in the final 4:57 of the half
• Whitfield was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field for 11 points
• NIU shot 32.3 percent from the field
• Bronco defense held Xavier Silas, the nation's second leading scorer, to 1-for-8 shooting

SECOND HALF

• Mike Douglas scores a career high 16 points to go along with six rebounds and seven assists
• WMU finishes with four players in double figures
• Whitfield finishes with 11 points and 10 rebounds for second-straight double-double
• Coach Hawkins collects 275th career coaching win