KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan had one of its best shooting performances of the year, bouncing back from a road loss at Ohio Tuesday to post a 20-point, 91-71 victory over Buffalo Saturday at University Arena.
The Broncos shot a season-high 61.9 percent from behind the arc, going 13-for-21 from downtown. The 13 triples matched the team's season high against Rochester College back on Nov. 23.
WMU was efficient all over the floor, hitting 50.9 percent of its shots overall and going 24-for-31 from the free-throw line (77.4%). The Broncos also committed a season-low six turnovers while dishing out 17 assists.
Junior forward Tucker Haymond found his rhythm early, helping Western Michigan race out to a 17-2 lead and a 48-30 advantage at the half. He poured in 16 first-half points and a career-high 27 points for the game.
Haymond delivered an ESPN-worthy highlight dunk grabbing an offensive rebound in the air and slamming it home with 12:28 remaining in the opening period. That was one of many bright spots for WMU's offense, as freshman big man Seth Dugan also threw down a dunk midway through the second half.
Haymond got plenty of help from his supporting cast with sophomore point guard Thomas Wilder registering 20 points and freshman guard Bryce Moore tallying 15. Junior Kellen McCormick finished with eight points and senior Anthony Avery Jr. chipped in seven.
Western Michigan rebounded by committee as Avery and senior Taylor Perry grabbed five boards apiece and Haymond, Moore and Dugan each pulled in four.
Sophomore center Drake LaMont did a good job distributing the ball as the Buffalo defense collapsed down low, finding teammates on back cuts for a game and career-high five assists.
“That was a game we sorely needed," said WMU head coach Steve Hawkins. "Things look a lot better when the ball goes through the hole. We have struggled offensively, the last three games we have played a lot more uptempo and freely and I think that has opened up some good shots for us. In the Ohio game those shots were there we just missed them. This was a home game where our backs were up against the wall, we needed this."
Western Michigan's 91 points was the most scored against a Division I opponent this season and the second highest offensive production only behind the 101 points scored against Division II Marygrove on Dec. 12.
Buffalo entered the matchup with the second-best defense in the Mid-American Conference during league play, only having allowed 68.8 points per game.
"We played the game inside-out, we had 17 assists on 23 field goals which means we were sharing the ball well," said Hawkins. "When we shoot the ball well we can be this good. Our crowd was tremendous tonight, we fed off their energy.”
Buffalo (10-9, 3-3 MAC) shot 44.4 percent in the loss, however was held to just 4-from-18 (22.2%) from 3-point range. The Bulls got 17 points from junior Willie Connor and 13 points from freshman Nick Perkins.
Western Michigan is 7-3 at home this season and improved its record to 8-11 and 2-4 in the MAC. The Broncos are at home for their next two games, hosting Bowling Green on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and West Division foe Eastern Michigan next Saturday at 2 p.m.
"We have two more homes game before hitting the road and then only three home games left so this was a big week for us and we knew it," Hawkins said.
