Toppers Move on to the Finals of the Myrtle Beach Invitational, Down West Virginia in a Thriller…
Western Kentucky men’s basketball just announced itself as being “for real.” Facing perennial basketball power West Virginia, WKU marched…
Western Kentucky men’s basketball just announced itself as being “for real.” Facing perennial basketball power West Virginia, WKU marched into Myrtle Beach Friday night on a mission from Rick Stansbury and left the arena with a 63–57 win.
In one of the most well-played games in the early season, WKU (3–1, 0–0 C-USA) went toe-to-toe all night with the Mountaineers, never trailing or leading by more than six points. For those that did not witness it in full, it was something to behold.
A magnificent display by both teams, WKU just happened to out-pressure the heralded press of the West Virginia Mountaineers (1–2, 0–0 Big 12). The story of the game; WKU forced 22 turnovers from a West Virginia team used to doing the like against its opponents.
WKU’s Charles Bassey (13 points, 15 rebounds) tallied the opening layup, showing a sign of things to come on the night. However, WVU quickly responded with an 8–0 run, seemingly starting a Power 5 onslaught to establish dominance. Not to be, Goliath.
WKU rising star, junior Jared Savage, canned a three and added a free throw to complete the four-point play, bring the Tops within two at 8–6. West Virginia controlled for a few minutes and then WKU would respond. With 8:17 left in the first half, WVU led the Toppers, 24–19. WKU then responded by taking a temporary lead on two Josh Anderson free throws with 3:26 remaining to put the Toppers up 27–26.
West Virginia fought to take control by halftime, but sloppy play allowed the Toppers to go into the break only down two, 35–33.
Bassey was nearly at a double-double at halftime. The announcers absolutely gushed about his abilities, stealing bad passes from teammates in the middle of a double team, slamming dunks on West Virginia’s experienced frontcourt and altogether being the best player on the court. Most importantly, West Virginia’s likely lottery pick, Sagaba Konate (1–6 FG, five points, six rebounds, four fouls), was utterly dominated by Western’s lanky forwards and centers throughout the contest.
The second half was much more of a WKU affair, but it was an absolutely incredible battle throughout. A physical battle, four WKU players ended up with four fouls, while WVU used 11 players to spread out their 23 fouls. Only two Mountaineers were in severe foul trouble. An arbitrary estimation here, but both teams must have pressed or trapped after 95% of made baskets.
After slowly exchanging buckets to start the second half, WKU finally seized a multiple possession lead on a thunderous two hand jam by Josh Anderson.
This was the second of three monstrous slams by the freakish sophomore.
Within a minute of starting the half, Anderson got free, and on a Marshall-esque flight from nine feet, Anderson tomahawked it home with his shoulders ten feet in the air. This was certainly a statement to the men on the court: The Toppers weren’t going anywhere.
Then, after another steal with 6:47 remaining down one, he casually reverse clutched a massive slam on the break in a crucial lead change. No big deal. Just three Top 10 nominees from one guy in one game.
WKU would surrender the lead one more time after that moment, and then Western finished like champs, ratcheting up the defense and allowing only six points in the last 6:21. WKU would outscore WVU 13–6 in those final moments, getting scores from all starters except Marek Nelson, who was saddled with foul trouble. Marek was instrumental at the point of the Topper press, forcing turnover after turnover throughout the slugfest.
All told, West Virginia played amazing defense. WKU played incredible defense. This was not a game of bricks and wide open missed layups. This was a knock down drag out brawl spanning all 94 feet with pressure for all 40 minutes. Both teams took jabs at each other all game, but WKU was able to land the haymaker when it counted.
The Tops will take on UCF on Sunday for the Myrtle Beach Invitational title.
Final Stats
