WKU Basketball:
After over two weeks of no games due to unforeseen circumstances, the Hilltoppers returned home to Diddle Arena to play some much-needed…
After over two weeks of no games due to unforeseen circumstances, the Hilltoppers returned home to Diddle Arena to play some much-needed basketball. Coming off the break, the Rice Owls visited Bowling Green for Game One of the Conference-USA series. In the absence of Jordan Rawls & Kevin Osawe, the Tops were having to pull through together in terms of a shorthanded unit.
The game tipped off with the Tops going on an offensive frenzy. Constructed by two three-pointers each from Tavieon Hollingsworth & Josh Anderson, ts created a 13–3 lead going through the first time out. At 14:48 in the first half, the Tops led the Owls 18–8.
As time went by, the Tops still kept the lead despite numerous attempts from Rice to trim the lead. Charles Bassey was relatively quiet until he made a huge dunk from McKnight’s pass:
WKU kept the foot on the gas with their solid halfcourt defense & assists. At halftime, the Hilltoppers were in front 50–38. Charles Bassey led all scorers with 10 points and 7 assists. Dayvion McKnight had 8 assists in his best effort all season. Here’s another Bassey slam off the pass from Taveion:
Starting off the second half, Rice scored three triples to start trimming the deficit. The Tops ended up digging their own hole as they went 2:10 without scoring a basket. The Owls took advantage by going on a 10–2 run. Through the first eight minutes of the second half, WKU was still in front 58–53.
The Owls started to cool down following a defensive charge play from Luke Frampton that resulted in a turnover. Heading past the halfway mark, the Tops went back into their previous form. After a four-minute period where Rice did not score a basket, the Tops went on an 8–0 run to extend the lead 75–61 with 3:46 left. The Owls tried to claw back but the Tops' defensive efforts were too much as they went on to win the game 77–71. This was their fifth straight conference win.
Notes from the game:
In the first half, this was a completely different Tops team. The excitement started early as they went 4–4 from the three-point arc, easily making it their best start on offense all year.
Charles Bassey was dominant as he notched another game with a double-double. The short break didn't slow him down one bit as he continues to make his resume for National Defensive Player of the Year.
Josh Anderson had one of the best games of his career on The Hill. He scored 17 points including some nice triples.
Freshman Dayvion McKnight ended up with nine assists. Honestly, he was the unsung hero of tonight’s game. There is a lot of potential heading his way of being a solid two-way guard.
Taveion Hollingsworth delivered when it was needed. His offensive performance moved him up to being #8 on the list of WKU Men’s all-time leading scorers. I have a strong feeling that he’s not done yet.
In the absence of Osawe & Rawls, Kylen Milton showed some flashes of greatness. Luke Frampton was pretty solid off of the bench. Hopefully, this will continue tomorrow night.
Overall, the Tops played a great game in areas where they’ve struggled in all year. They are now 14–4 on the season with a conference record of 7–2. They will go for the sweep tomorrow night at Diddle Arena. Tip-off starts at 5 pm central time and the game will be broadcasted on CBS Sports Network.
Here are the stats from tonight’s win at Diddle:
