KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men's basketball team had four players score in double-figures and set numerous season-bests in a 94-57 victory over Defiance College on Monday afternoon at University Arena.
 
The Broncos (6-7) posted season highs in points (94), made field goals (37), assists (20) and steals (13). Western Michigan's defense also set season lows in points allowed (57) and opponent field goals (19).
 
Jalen Griffith led the Brown and Gold with 16 points, six assists and a career-high five steals. Jayden Brewer tallied 15 points and a team-leading eight rebounds for WMU, with Brady Swartz adding 11 points and Michael Sulaka notching a career-high 10 points.
 
With the contest even at 12-12, Western Michigan rattled off seven straight to begin an 11-2 run and go in front, 23-14. Defiance tallied the next five points to whittle the margin to 23-19 just past the midway point of the half. A 10-point burst pushed WMU's advantage into double-digits for the first time at 40-24, and the Brown and Gold took a 48-32 lead into the locker room.
 
The Broncos continued to add to their cushion in the early stages of the second half, tallying eight of the first nine points out of the break to bump the margin to 56-33. At 70-47, an 18-3 surge extended Western Michigan's advantage to 88-50, and a short while later the Brown and Gold reached their largest lead of the day, 92-53.
 
WMU shot 54.4 percent (37-of-68) from the field for the afternoon and hit 81.0 percent (17-of-21) of its free throws. Defiance connected on 35.8 percent (19-of-53) of its field goal tries.
 
Following its holiday break, Western Michigan returns to Mid-American Conference action on Tuesday, Dec., 30 at Toledo. Tip is set for 6:30 pm on ESPN+.