Burke helps Wolverines maintain perfect record with 73-41 win over Western Michigan

Michigan guard Tim Hardaway, Jr., dunks the ball in the first half of an against Western Michigan on Tuesday at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor.

ANN ARBOR — Trey Burke had 20 points and seven assists, and No. 3 Michigan eased past Western Michigan for a 73-41 victory Tuesday night.

The Wolverines (8-0) had actually lost their previous two games against the Broncos, but that was more than a decade ago. Western Michigan (6-2) had won six straight coming into this game, including a victory over South Florida, but the Broncos wasted a chance to stay with the Wolverines, turning the ball over 13 times in the first half.

Nik Stauskas scored 11 points for Michigan, and fellow freshman Mitch McGary added 10 on 5-of-5 shooting.

Freshman Darius Paul had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Western Michigan.

It is Michigan's first 8-0 start since 1996-97.

The Wolverines weren't all that sharp offensively, especially early, but Western Michigan couldn't take advantage. The Broncos committed several fouls at the offensive end in the first half, and Michigan led 25-15 after a layup by Glenn Robinson III. Jordan Morgan pushed the lead to a dozen with a layup of his own, and it was 35-21 at halftime.

The Wolverines put the game away early in the second half. Stauskas made a 3-pointer to make it 45-28, and Robinson and Burke added old-fashioned three-point plays to make it a 23-point game.

It was 51-34 before Michigan padded the margin with a 22-2 run. A 3-pointer by Tim Hardaway, Jr., made it 66-36, and Burke connected moments later from beyond the arc.