KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Junior
Jaylen Washington netted a career-high 27 points to help lift the Western Michigan men's basketball team to an 87-71 victory over Campbell on Sunday afternoon at University Arena.
Washington's career-high 27 points came on 10-of-18 shooting and included a career-high four three-pointers. He also handed out a team-high five assists.
Rob Lee Jr. nearly recorded a double-double for WMU (2-1), tallying 16 points to go with a team-leading nine rebounds.
Adam Harakow (12) and
Augustinas Kiudulas (10) also scored in double-figures for the Brown and Gold.
Campbell (0-2) started fast, scoring the first seven points of the contest. The visitors' lead got as large as eight, 23-15, halfway through the first half. The Broncos answered with seven consecutive points, five of which came from Washington, to close the gap to 23-22. At 33-30, Western Michigan ran off another nine in a row to move in front, 39-33. WMU took a 41-35 advantage into halftime.
Still holding a six-point edge at 44-38, the Brown and Gold broke it open with a 13-point outburst, which included back-to-back, three-pointers by freshman center
Janis Jünemann, to stretch their lead out to 57-38. Just past the midway point of the period, Campbell reeled off nine straight points to trim the margin to 70-61. A seven-point response by the Broncos, capped by a Washington triple, pushed the advantage back into double-digits, where it remained for the rest of the afternoon.
The Broncos made 52.6 percent (30-of-57) of their field goal attempts, including 46.4 percent (13-of-28) from beyond the arc. Campbell shot 45.6 percent (26-of-57) from the floor. WMU was also plus-six (33-27) on the glass and committed a season-low seven turnovers.
Western Michigan hits the road for its next three games, starting on Thursday night at Purdue Fort Wayne. Tip is scheduled for 7 pm on
ESPN+.
