NICEVILLE, FLA.- Western Michigan shot a sizzling 71.4 percent from the field in the first half and then held off a second-half rally to claim an 85-70 victory past Southern in the consolation round of the Emerald Coast Classic Friday .
Senior center Seth Dugan and senior swingman Josh Davis scored 28 and 24 points, respectively for the Broncos who improved to 4-2. Davis and Dugan combined to make 20 of 25 shots.
Davis made all nine of his shots, tying an Emerald Coast Classic record for individual field goal percentage. The 7-foot Dugan grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds and blocked three shots.
With the duo combing for 33 points, Western Michigan raced to a 52-34 halftime lead.
Southern mounted a comeback in the second half, pulling within five points twice. But trailing 65-60, the Jaguars went four minutes without a basket and Western Michigan took advantage with a 13-1 run.
“I thought we really moved the ball well and we played with a lot of confidence in the first half,” said Western Michigan Steve Hawkins. “We were kind of kind stagnant offensively in the second half but I felt like we improved today.”
The Jaguars had five players score in double figures. Senior guard Eddie Reese led Southern with 22 points, while senior guard Richard Lee added 14 points.
Western Michigan finished the game shooting 56.9 percent, while Southern shot 42.6 percent. The Broncos also won the rebounding battle, 33-26.
The Broncos will play the winner of the Nicholls State-North Carolina Central game at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Southern will play the loser of that game at 10 a.m. Saturday.
