CONWAY, S.C. – Playing South Carolina for the second time in six days, Western Michigan trailed by just one heading into halftime but was unable to
overcome a second half surge by the Gamecocks, falling 79-66 on the final day of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off at Myrtle Beach.

The Broncos trailed by just one at halftime but the Gamecocks stormed out of the gate to start the second with a 17-2 run, holding WMU scoreless for nearly seven minutes. In the second half USC outscored WMU, 44-32.

For the fifth time this season WMU had three players score in double figures as senior Thomas Wilder led the way with a game-high 15 points. In two games against South Carolina, Wilder was the highest scorer in each game and totaled 38 points.

Junior Bryce Moore recorded 14 points on the afternoon and tied his career-high with four three-pointers made. Rounding out the trio of double digit scoring was freshman Michael Flowers with 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field and connecting on two threes'.

As a team the Broncos went 21-of-44 (.477) from the field and knocked down eight from beyond the three-point line. South Carolina held a slight edge on the boards, out rebounding WMU, 33-30 but registered 12 offensive rebounds to score 14 second chance points.

On Sunday afternoon, WMU committed 22 turnovers to USC's 12 while the Gamecocks scored 28 points off WMU turnovers. In the paint WMU scored 20 points compared to South Carolina's 36.

The Broncos will have nearly a week off before playing their next game at home on Saturday, Nov. 25 against Northwood.

Right from the start the Broncos jumped out to a 13-2 lead after holding South Carolina scoreless for nearly four minutes. Midway through the first half the
Gamecocks responded with a 12-2 run with four straight made field goals to earn their first lead of the game. Wilder ended the scoring drought for WMU with a floater from the free-throw line to tie the game at 18-18 with seven minutes remaining in the half. 

Both teams traded baskets during the later stages of the first half as in the final three minutes, Western Michigan went 3-of-4 from the field while USC made their last five shots. Wilder scored two of his game-high 15 in the final seconds, connecting on a 15-foot jumper to give South Carolina a slim 35-34 lead at halftime.

South Carolina began the second half on a 6-0 run to extend their lead and increased their lead to double digits with a 17-2 run that last over seven minutes. During the seven-minute span, the Broncos were held scoreless and committed seven turnovers.

Trailing by double digits, freshman Michael Flowers provided life off the bench scoring six straight points to cut the deficit to 10 with six minutes remaining.
Once again, USC countered with a 6-0 run to extend their lead to 65-51.

WMU cut the lead to 10 with 1:30 remaining after back-to-back threes from Bryce Moore and junior Josh Davis.  Down the stretch, the Broncos made four of their final five field goals while holding USC scoreless from the field the final 3:38 in the 79-66 loss.