CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Western Michigan men's basketball team gave the defending national champion Villanova Wildcats a tough test in the opening game of the Gildan Charleston Classic, but ultimately fell to the No. 3 ranked team in the nation, 76-65.

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The Broncos stayed close all game long, trailing by 11 at halftime and going even with the Wildcats in the second half, 32-32. Junior Thomas Wilder opened the game with a 3-pointer from the wing, but the Wildcats went on a 14-2 run after the Wilder 3-pointer and never trailed again. WMU got within one possession at the 6:18 mark in the second half on a pair of Wilder free throws. A key point in the game took place at the end of the first half, where the Broncos were trailing by five under 1:00 to go. The Wildcats' Eric Paschall connected on two 3-pointers under a minute to push the lead to double-digits.

The Broncos held the Wildcats to two scoring droughts that lasted nearly 4:00 a piece in each the first half and second half. WMU also

Wilder led all scorers with 19 points, including a stretch late in the first half where he scored 10 straight of the Broncos' points. Sophomore Josh Davis, who added two monstrous dunks, finished with a career-high 14 points and added two steals. Sophomore Seth Dugan had another good showing, finishing with 12 points and eight rebounds while Bryce Moore and Brandon Johnson each had five points. Senior Tucker Haymond finished with four points, but added six rebounds and six assists.

The Wildcats, who were the highest ranked team the Broncos have faced since traveling to No. 3 Michigan on December 4, 2012, had four players score in double-figures including Paschall, who led the team with 17. Preseason All-American selection Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson each had 14 while Kris Jenkins added 11.

The Broncos will face the loser of Central Florida/Wake Forest at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17 on day two of the Gildan Charleston Classic.