KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Sophomore point guard Thomas Wilder tallied 35 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double, leading Western Michigan to a 94-86 victory over visiting Eastern Michigan Saturday at University Arena.
The 35 points from Wilder were the most produced by a Bronco this season, as well as a career high. His 10 rebounds were also a personal best.
Wilder was dialed in from 3-point range, going 5-for-5 from behind the arc. Three other Broncos were perfect from distance, as senior Jared Klein and freshman Bryce Moore hit both of their 3-point attempts and freshman Josh Davis was 1-for-1. As a team, WMU went 10-for-14 from behind the 3-point line and shot 49.2 percent overall from the field.
The Broncos jumped out . . .
The 35 points from Wilder were the most produced by a Bronco this season, as well as a career high. His 10 rebounds were also a personal best.
Wilder was dialed in from 3-point range, going 5-for-5 from behind the arc. Three other Broncos were perfect from distance, as senior Jared Klein and freshman Bryce Moore hit both of their 3-point attempts and freshman Josh Davis was 1-for-1. As a team, WMU went 10-for-14 from behind the 3-point line and shot 49.2 percent overall from the field.
The Broncos jumped out . . .
. . . to a 41-24 halftime lead behind solid efforts on both ends of the floor. Western Michigan held Eastern Michigan to just 25 percent shooting (8-for-32) and out-rebounded the Eagles 24-15 in the first half.
WMU held its biggest lead of 19 with 14:36 left in the game before Eastern Michigan began to slowly work into the deficit. Eastern pulled within six points, 73-67, with 4:50 remaining.
Wilder scored the next five points for WMU, sinking a pair of free throws and converting a layup-and-one to extend the Broncos' lead back into double digits. The Eagles' final offensive push, however, was answered by Western Michigan, who closed out with an eight-point victory.
"I thought we played very well offensively by sharing the ball," said WMU head coach Steve Hawkins. "I think we had a solid first half defensively, but during the second half we broke down at some points. But that also had to do with Eastern Michigan being more aggressive.
“We watched film from last year and cut up some tape where we had some success and were able to get the guys in position but they still have to knock down shots. Our guys have to play with confidence and take shots within the flow of the offense, and we did that today."
Western Michigan totaled 20 assists in the game with Wilder and Moore dishing out four apiece and three other players -Tucker Haymond, Seth Dugan and Drake LaMont handing out three.
Haymond was WMU's next highest scorer, totaling 21 points and adding six rebounds. Senior forward Anthony Avery Jr. recorded 11 points and five rebounds, while Moore had eight points and LaMont finished with six points and nine boards.
Freshman center James Thompson IV tallied a double-double for Eastern Michigan with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Ty Toney scored a team-high 23 points for the Eagles.
With the win, Western Michigan improved to 8-4 at home this season and increased its record to 9-12 overall and 3-5 in the Mid-American Conference. Eastern Michigan fell to 10-11 on the season and 2-6 in the MAC.
NEXT:
Western Michigan at Toledo (Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET)
Miami at Eastern Michigan (Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET)
(Courtesy of Kristin Keirns WMU Athletics)
WMU held its biggest lead of 19 with 14:36 left in the game before Eastern Michigan began to slowly work into the deficit. Eastern pulled within six points, 73-67, with 4:50 remaining.
Wilder scored the next five points for WMU, sinking a pair of free throws and converting a layup-and-one to extend the Broncos' lead back into double digits. The Eagles' final offensive push, however, was answered by Western Michigan, who closed out with an eight-point victory.
"I thought we played very well offensively by sharing the ball," said WMU head coach Steve Hawkins. "I think we had a solid first half defensively, but during the second half we broke down at some points. But that also had to do with Eastern Michigan being more aggressive.
“We watched film from last year and cut up some tape where we had some success and were able to get the guys in position but they still have to knock down shots. Our guys have to play with confidence and take shots within the flow of the offense, and we did that today."
Western Michigan totaled 20 assists in the game with Wilder and Moore dishing out four apiece and three other players -Tucker Haymond, Seth Dugan and Drake LaMont handing out three.
Haymond was WMU's next highest scorer, totaling 21 points and adding six rebounds. Senior forward Anthony Avery Jr. recorded 11 points and five rebounds, while Moore had eight points and LaMont finished with six points and nine boards.
Freshman center James Thompson IV tallied a double-double for Eastern Michigan with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Ty Toney scored a team-high 23 points for the Eagles.
With the win, Western Michigan improved to 8-4 at home this season and increased its record to 9-12 overall and 3-5 in the Mid-American Conference. Eastern Michigan fell to 10-11 on the season and 2-6 in the MAC.
NEXT:
Western Michigan at Toledo (Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET)
Miami at Eastern Michigan (Tuesday, 7 p.m. ET)
(Courtesy of Kristin Keirns WMU Athletics)
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