No. 5 Michigan beats Western Michigan 70-62, stays unbeaten
AP
Dec 15, 2018
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) No. 5 Michigan Wolverines has breezed past the competition for much of the season, coasting to lopsided wins even against ranked opponents.
Western Michigan Broncos provided the Wolverines with a different kind of experience.
Charles Matthews made a layup just before halftime to give No. 5 Michigan its first lead, then matched a season high with 25 points and grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds to help undefeated Michigan beat the Broncos 70-62 on Saturday.
''We needed to get through something like that,'' coach John Beilein said. ''When things aren't going well and you're about to get upset, you need resiliency.''
Michigan (11-0) is off to its best start since it was 16-0 six seasons ago. Before getting a relative scare from Western Michigan, the Wolverines had beaten teams by an average of 18-plus points.
The Broncos (5-5) were in control for much of the first half and led by eight points with 2:58 remaining after Michael Flowers scored 11 of his career-high 31 points in just over two minutes.
''Flowers is tremendous,'' Beilein said. ''He kept them in the game.''
Matthews helped Michigan bounce back from a sluggish start. He scored eight of his team's 10 points to close the first half, giving Michigan a 30-28 lead.
''I was just trying to be aggressive,'' Matthews said.
He scored five more points during the Wolverines' 14-2 run early in the second half, giving them a cushion they needed because the Broncos stayed aggressive on both ends
Matthews made a 3-pointer with 1:13 left to put the Wolverines ahead by eight.
Michigan's Zavier Simpson scored 15 points and Jordan Poole had 14, making up for Ignas Brazdeikis and Jon Teske combining to score just seven points.
''It shows how dynamic we are,'' Poole said.
Jared Printy had 10 points for the Broncos, whose top two scorers were held well below their average. Seth Dugan had seven points, more than 10 points below his average, and Josh Davis fouled out with four points after entering the game scoring nearly 14 points per game.
DOWN TO EARTH
Michigan's leading scorer, Brazdeikis, was held scoreless for more than 24 minutes. The freshman finished a season-low four points - 13 below his average.
''He wasn't sharp,'' Beilein said. ''He'll be back and ready to roll.''
KEY STAT
Michigan scored 20 points off the Broncos' 16 turnovers while Western Michigan had eight points off the Wolverines' eight turnovers.
HE SAID IT
Western Michigan coach Steve Hawkins was asked if Flowers, who is from suburban Detroit, played the Wolverines with a chip on his shoulder.
''He wakes up with a chip. That's kind of him,'' Hawkins said.
GREEN LIGHT
Simpson made 3 of 4 3-pointers after missing all 10 of his attempts beyond the arc over the previous six games and connecting on just 22 percent of his 3-point shots this season and 27 percent over his three-season career.
Beilein wants the point guard to shoot from the outside when teams are sagging off him.
''Or, we're playing four on five,'' Beilein said.
BIG PICTURE
Western Michigan: The Broncos, who hadn't played a ranked team since 2016, may get a boost of confidence for leading Michigan for much of the first half and refusing to get routed when the Wolverines took control in the second half.
''Confidence? I hope so,'' Hawkins said. ''We'll find out in about two or three months.''
Michigan: The Wolverines looked rusty in the first half and must learn how to stay sharp with only one game per week from Dec. 8 to Dec. 30 before resuming conference play in early January.
''You're not going to win games in the Big Ten if you play like that,'' Beilein said.
UP NEXT
Western Michigan: Play at Dayton on Wednesday night.
Michigan: Hosts Air Force on Saturday.
---
Follow Larry Lage at https://twitter.com/larrylage
---
More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25
Copyright 2018 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
1st Half
WMU
Broncos
28
MICH
Wolverines
30
Time
Team
Play
Score
20:00
Jumpball received by Western Michigan
19:36
Seth Dugan missed hook shot
19:34
Offensive rebound by Western Michigan
19:15
Kawanise Wilkins missed 3-pt. jump shot
19:13
Defensive rebound by Jordan Poole
19:13
Personal foul on Josh Davis
18:53
Zavier Simpson missed 3-pt. jump shot
18:51
Defensive rebound by Michael Flowers
18:41
+2
Seth Dugan made layup, assist by Michael Flowers
2-0
18:24
Lost ball turnover on Charles Matthews, stolen by Josh Davis
18:10
+2
Seth Dugan made hook shot, assist by Josh Davis
4-0
17:48
+2
Jordan Poole made layup
4-2
17:37
Bad pass turnover on Michael Flowers
17:23
Ignas Brazdeikis missed layup
17:21
Defensive rebound by Josh Davis
17:06
Bad pass turnover on Michael Flowers, stolen by Jordan Poole
17:02
+2
Jordan Poole made dunk
4-4
16:41
Shooting foul on Jon Teske
16:41
+1
Seth Dugan made 1st of 2 free throws
5-4
16:41
Seth Dugan missed 2nd of 2 free throws
16:41
Defensive rebound by Charles Matthews
16:24
Ignas Brazdeikis missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:22
Defensive rebound by Michael Flowers
16:10
Josh Davis missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:08
Defensive rebound by Jordan Poole
16:01
Charles Matthews missed layup, blocked by Josh Davis
15:59
Defensive rebound by Josh Davis
15:28
Shot clock violation turnover on Western Michigan
15:14
Shooting foul on Patrick Emilien
15:14
+1
Charles Matthews made 1st of 2 free throws
5-5
15:14
Charles Matthews missed 2nd of 2 free throws
15:13
Offensive rebound by Michigan
15:02
Shooting foul on Josh Davis
15:02
Ignas Brazdeikis missed 1st of 2 free throws
15:02
Ignas Brazdeikis missed 2nd of 2 free throws
15:02
Defensive rebound by Patrick Emilien
14:45
+3
Jared Printy made 3-pt. jump shot
8-5
14:21
Charles Matthews missed layup
14:19
Defensive rebound by Seth Dugan
13:59
+3
Jared Printy made 3-pt. jump shot
11-5
13:42
Lost ball turnover on Zavier Simpson
13:14
Seth Dugan missed jump shot
13:12
Defensive rebound by Isaiah Livers
13:07
Bad pass turnover on Isaiah Livers, stolen by Michael Flowers
13:04
Michael Flowers missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:02
Defensive rebound by Charles Matthews
12:58
+2
Austin Davis made layup, assist by Zavier Simpson
11-7
12:45
Bad pass turnover on Patrick Emilien, stolen by Jordan Poole
12:37
+2
Isaiah Livers made layup
11-9
12:10
+3
Michael Flowers made 3-pt. jump shot
14-9
11:55
+2
Austin Davis made dunk, assist by Zavier Simpson
14-11
11:40
Michael Flowers missed jump shot
11:38
Defensive rebound by Zavier Simpson
11:37
Personal foul on Kawanise Wilkins
11:22
Isaiah Livers missed layup
11:20
Defensive rebound by Patrick Emilien
10:50
Kawanise Wilkins missed layup
10:50
Defensive rebound by Jon Teske
10:50
Personal foul on TJ Clifford
10:31
+2
Eli Brooks made jump shot
14-13
10:10
+2
William Boyer-Richard made jump shot
16-13
9:51
Isaiah Livers missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:49
Defensive rebound by Patrick Emilien
9:24
TJ Clifford missed 3-pt. jump shot
9:22
Defensive rebound by Isaiah Livers
9:21
Personal foul on Adrian Martin
9:08
Personal foul on Kawanise Wilkins
9:08
Ignas Brazdeikis missed free throw
9:08
Defensive rebound by Josh Davis
8:45
Seth Dugan missed jump shot
8:43
Defensive rebound by Charles Matthews
8:37
Eli Brooks missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:35
Defensive rebound by Michael Flowers
8:09
Shooting foul on Jon Teske
8:09
+1
Michael Flowers made 1st of 2 free throws
17-13
8:09
Michael Flowers missed 2nd of 2 free throws
8:09
Defensive rebound by Charles Matthews
7:52
Charles Matthews missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:50
Offensive rebound by Isaiah Livers
7:45
Eli Brooks missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:43
Offensive rebound by Charles Matthews
7:40
Charles Matthews missed layup
7:38
Offensive rebound by Charles Matthews
7:24
Ignas Brazdeikis missed layup
7:22
Defensive rebound by Adrian Martin
7:00
Jared Printy missed 3-pt. jump shot
6:58
Defensive rebound by Zavier Simpson
6:50
+3
Charles Matthews made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Eli Brooks
17-16
6:32
Offensive foul on Josh Davis
6:32
Turnover on Josh Davis
6:22
Shooting foul on Adrian Martin
6:22
+1
Charles Matthews made 1st of 2 free throws
17-17
6:22
Charles Matthews missed 2nd of 2 free throws
6:22
Defensive rebound by Seth Dugan
5:57
Michael Flowers missed 3-pt. jump shot
5:55
Defensive rebound by Charles Matthews
5:52
Bad pass turnover on Charles Matthews
5:26
Out of bounds turnover on Michael Flowers
5:18
Offensive foul on Zavier Simpson
5:18
Turnover on Zavier Simpson
5:00
+2
Michael Flowers made jump shot
19-17
4:48
Isaiah Livers missed 3-pt. jump shot
4:46
Defensive rebound by Michael Flowers
4:35
+3
Michael Flowers made 3-pt. jump shot
22-17
4:18
+2
Zavier Simpson made hook shot
22-19
4:07
+2
Michael Flowers made jump shot
24-19
3:54
Shooting foul on Seth Dugan
3:54
Isaiah Livers missed 1st of 2 free throws
3:54
+1
Isaiah Livers made 2nd of 2 free throws
24-20
3:30
+2
Michael Flowers made layup
26-20
3:12
Jordan Poole missed layup
3:10
Defensive rebound by Seth Dugan
2:59
Shooting foul on Ignas Brazdeikis
2:59
+1
Michael Flowers made 1st of 2 free throws
27-20
2:59
+1
Michael Flowers made 2nd of 2 free throws
28-20
2:44
Shooting foul on William Boyer-Richard
2:44
Charles Matthews missed 1st of 2 free throws
2:44
Charles Matthews missed 2nd of 2 free throws
2:44
Defensive rebound by Seth Dugan
2:33
Michael Flowers missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:31
Defensive rebound by Zavier Simpson
2:26
Zavier Simpson missed layup
2:24
Offensive rebound by Charles Matthews
2:24
+2
Charles Matthews made tip-in
28-22
1:57
Bad pass turnover on Patrick Emilien, stolen by Zavier Simpson
1:52
Personal foul on William Boyer-Richard
1:52
+1
Charles Matthews made 1st of 2 free throws
28-23
1:52
+1
Charles Matthews made 2nd of 2 free throws
28-24
1:33
Lost ball turnover on Seth Dugan, stolen by Ignas Brazdeikis
1:28
+2
Zavier Simpson made layup, assist by Austin Davis
28-26
1:11
Lost ball turnover on William Boyer-Richard, stolen by Charles Matthews
1:08
+2
Charles Matthews made dunk
28-28
38.0
Lost ball turnover on Michael Flowers, stolen by Jordan Poole
34.0
Jordan Poole missed dunk
32.0
Defensive rebound by Michael Flowers
6.0
Michael Flowers missed layup
4.0
Defensive rebound by Charles Matthews
1.0
+2
Charles Matthews made layup
28-30
0.0
Commercial timeout called
2nd Half
WMU
Broncos
34
MICH
Wolverines
40
Time
Team
Play
Score
19:50
Jon Teske missed layup
19:50
Jon Teske missed layup
19:48
Defensive rebound by Michael Flowers
19:33
+2
Josh Davis made layup
30-30
19:13
Shooting foul on Josh Davis
19:13
+1
Charles Matthews made 1st of 2 free throws
30-31
19:13
+1
Charles Matthews made 2nd of 2 free throws
30-32
18:58
Lost ball turnover on Jared Printy, stolen by Jordan Poole
18:45
Ignas Brazdeikis missed layup
18:43
Offensive rebound by Michigan
18:38
+3
Zavier Simpson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jordan Poole
30-35
18:19
Bad pass turnover on Kawanise Wilkins
18:04
Jon Teske missed layup
18:02
Defensive rebound by Western Michigan
17:32
Michael Flowers missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:30
Offensive rebound by Patrick Emilien
17:09
Jared Printy missed 3-pt. jump shot
17:07
Defensive rebound by Ignas Brazdeikis
16:56
+3
Jordan Poole made 3-pt. jump shot
30-38
16:37
Seth Dugan missed hook shot, blocked by Jon Teske
16:35
Defensive rebound by Jon Teske
16:21
Shooting foul on Kawanise Wilkins
16:21
+1
Charles Matthews made 1st of 2 free throws
30-39
16:21
Charles Matthews missed 2nd of 2 free throws
16:21
Offensive rebound by Jon Teske
16:08
Jon Teske missed 3-pt. jump shot
16:06
Defensive rebound by Patrick Emilien
15:49
+2
Michael Flowers made layup
32-39
15:18
+3
Zavier Simpson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Charles Matthews
32-42
14:58
Seth Dugan missed 3-pt. jump shot
14:56
Defensive rebound by Zavier Simpson
14:48
+2
Charles Matthews made layup
32-44
14:17
+2
Michael Flowers made layup
34-44
14:17
Shooting foul on Zavier Simpson
14:17
+1
Michael Flowers made free throw
35-44
13:57
Shooting foul on Jared Printy
13:57
Jon Teske missed 1st of 2 free throws
13:57
+1
Jon Teske made 2nd of 2 free throws
35-45
13:39
+3
Jared Printy made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Michael Flowers
38-45
13:26
Personal foul on Jared Printy
13:21
Jordan Poole missed 3-pt. jump shot
13:19
Defensive rebound by Seth Dugan
13:03
Personal foul on Charles Matthews
12:55
+2
Seth Dugan made layup
40-45
12:33
Shooting foul on Seth Dugan
12:33
+1
Charles Matthews made 1st of 2 free throws
40-46
12:33
+1
Charles Matthews made 2nd of 2 free throws
40-47
12:21
Adrian Martin missed jump shot, blocked by Jordan Poole
12:19
Offensive rebound by Western Michigan
12:09
Josh Davis missed jump shot
12:07
Defensive rebound by Charles Matthews
11:54
Charles Matthews missed jump shot
11:52
Offensive rebound by Jon Teske
11:52
+2
Jon Teske made tip-in
40-49
11:37
+2
Michael Flowers made jump shot
42-49
11:15
Offensive foul on Zavier Simpson
11:15
Turnover on Zavier Simpson
10:52
+2
Kawanise Wilkins made layup
44-49
10:27
Ignas Brazdeikis missed jump shot
10:25
Defensive rebound by Western Michigan
10:03
Adrian Martin missed layup
10:01
Defensive rebound by Jon Teske
10:02
Personal foul on Seth Dugan
9:44
+3
Jordan Poole made 3-pt. jump shot
44-52
9:27
Personal foul on Charles Matthews
9:10
Shooting foul on Jon Teske
9:10
Jared Printy missed 1st of 3 free throws
9:10
Jared Printy missed 2nd of 3 free throws
9:10
+1
Jared Printy made 3rd of 3 free throws
45-52
9:00
Isaiah Livers missed 3-pt. jump shot
8:58
Defensive rebound by Jared Printy
8:44
Lost ball turnover on Josh Davis, stolen by Charles Matthews
8:36
Zavier Simpson missed layup
8:34
Defensive rebound by Seth Dugan
8:22
Bad pass turnover on Seth Dugan
8:05
+3
Zavier Simpson made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Charles Matthews
45-55
7:42
Lost ball turnover on Josh Davis, stolen by Charles Matthews
7:30
Isaiah Livers missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:28
Defensive rebound by Michael Flowers
7:12
Jared Printy missed 3-pt. jump shot
7:10
Defensive rebound by Isaiah Livers
6:45
Jordan Poole missed jump shot
6:43
Defensive rebound by Josh Davis
6:37
Shooting foul on Jordan Poole
6:37
+1
Josh Davis made 1st of 2 free throws
46-55
6:37
+1
Josh Davis made 2nd of 2 free throws
47-55
6:27
Zavier Simpson missed layup
6:25
Defensive rebound by Seth Dugan
6:19
+2
Kawanise Wilkins made layup, assist by Jared Printy
49-55
5:56
+2
Ignas Brazdeikis made jump shot
49-57
5:33
Shooting foul on Ignas Brazdeikis
5:33
Seth Dugan missed 1st of 2 free throws
5:33
Seth Dugan missed 2nd of 2 free throws
5:33
Defensive rebound by Jon Teske
5:06
Charles Matthews missed layup
5:04
Defensive rebound by Seth Dugan
4:54
Josh Davis missed jump shot
4:52
Defensive rebound by Zavier Simpson
4:35
Charles Matthews missed jump shot
4:33
Defensive rebound by Kawanise Wilkins
4:14
+3
Michael Flowers made 3-pt. jump shot
52-57
3:51
+2
Ignas Brazdeikis made layup
52-59
3:21
+2
Kawanise Wilkins made layup
54-59
3:00
+2
Jordan Poole made layup
54-61
2:51
Personal foul on Jordan Poole
2:51
+1
Michael Flowers made 1st of 2 free throws
55-61
2:51
+1
Michael Flowers made 2nd of 2 free throws
56-61
2:41
Shooting foul on Josh Davis
2:41
+1
Charles Matthews made 1st of 2 free throws
56-62
2:41
+1
Charles Matthews made 2nd of 2 free throws
56-63
2:15
Kawanise Wilkins missed 3-pt. jump shot
2:13
Offensive rebound by Adrian Martin
2:07
Adrian Martin missed layup
2:05
Defensive rebound by Jordan Poole
1:47
Lost ball turnover on Jordan Poole, stolen by Adrian Martin
1:42
+2
Adrian Martin made layup
58-63
1:14
+3
Charles Matthews made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Zavier Simpson
58-66
48.0
Shooting foul on Ignas Brazdeikis
48.0
+1
Michael Flowers made 1st of 2 free throws
59-66
48.0
+1
Michael Flowers made 2nd of 2 free throws
60-66
39.0
Personal foul on Jared Printy
39.0
+1
Jordan Poole made 1st of 2 free throws
60-67
39.0
+1
Jordan Poole made 2nd of 2 free throws
60-68
21.0
Lost ball turnover on Michael Flowers, stolen by Zavier Simpson
19.0
+2
Zavier Simpson made layup
60-70
13.0
Shooting foul on Charles Matthews
13.0
+1
Michael Flowers made 1st of 2 free throws
61-70
13.0
+1
Michael Flowers made 2nd of 2 free throws
62-70
12.0
Bad pass turnover on Zavier Simpson, stolen by Patrick Emilien