Michigan
11-0
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Western Michigan
5-5
Matthews' Double-Double Lifts Wolverines to Win Over Upstart WMU
12/15/2018 5:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball
» The Wolverines captured a 70-62 victory over Western Michigan, and are off to an 11-0 start for the fourth time in program history and the first since 2012-13.
» Charles Matthews tied a season-high in points with 25 points, set new career highs with 11 free throws and 10 rebounds, en route to his fifth career double-double.
» Michigan is one of nine remaining undefeated teams in the country.
» Jordan Poole recorded a career-high four steals, while scoring 14 points for the Maize and Blue.
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Center)
Score: #5 Michigan 70, Western Michigan 62
Records: U-M (11-0), WMU (5-5)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Dec. 22 -- vs. Air Force (Crisler Center), 4:00 p.m. (TV: BTN)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior Charles Matthews recorded his first double-double of the season, tying a season high with 25 points and adding a season-high 10 rebounds, as the University of Michigan men's basketball team (No. 5 AP, No. 5 Coaches Poll) defeated Western Michigan, 70-62, on Saturday (Dec. 15) at Crisler Center.
The Wolverines improved to 11-0, marking the fourth time in program history that Michigan has started a season with 11 consecutive wins, and the first since 2012-13.
Eleven of Matthews' 25 points came from the free-throw line, marking a new career high. Junior Zavier Simpson scored 15 points, nine of which came from beyond the arc, and sophomore Jordan Poole added 14 points.
Junior Jon Teske grabbed six rebounds and Simpson pulled down five.
After committing three turnovers in the first seven minutes of the game, the Wolverines committed just five more for the rest of the way. Michigan forced 15 WMU turnovers which led to 18 points.
Both teams got off to a slow start offensively, scoring only nine combined points as Western Michigan led, 5-4, with 15:44 left in the half.Â
After forcing a shot clock violation out of the first media timeout, the Wolverines remained stagnant on offense before two three-pointers from Jared Printy helped the Broncos grow their lead to six points, 11-5, with 13:57 left in the first half.
The Wolverines chipped away at the Western Michigan lead over the next few minutes, and a Matthews' three with 6:52 left in the first half cut the Western Michigan lead to 17-16. After Western Michigan called a timeout with 5:18 to go in the half and leading, 19-17, the Broncos went on a 5-2 run to push their lead back to five, 24-19, with just under four minutes to play in the opening half.
The final two minutes were dominated by the Wolverines, who ended the half on a 10-0 run which included three forced turnovers. Michigan earned its first lead of the game, 30-28, on a buzzer-beating layup by Matthews.
The Wolverines started the second half with two three-pointers from Simpson, one from Poole, and five points from Matthews, which sparked Michigan and extended its lead to 44-32 at the 14:46 mark.
A two-minute scoring drought for Michigan was snapped by a putback layup from Teske to give the Wolverines a 49-40 lead with 11:47 remaining in the contest. Minutes later, a Simpson three pushed the Wolverines' lead to double digits, 55-45, with 8:05 left in the contest.
Western Michigan continued to keep the game close, going on a 9-4 run and cutting Michigan's lead to 59-54 with under four minutes to play. Matthews proved to be the difference for the Wolverines down the stretch, pouring in five points during the closing minutes.
The Maize and Blue are one of nine unbeaten teams in the country, while its 11 wins are tied for the most of any NCAA Division I program.
The Wolverines will be back at Crisler Center on Saturday, Dec. 22, when they host Air Force. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.
