WKU Basketball: Hilltoppers Handle Tennessee Tech, 88–68
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers men’s basketball team returned home to play one last game at Diddle Arena for the year 2020. This was…
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers men’s basketball team returned home to play one last game at Diddle Arena for the year 2020. This was also a non-conference matchup against Tennessee Tech from the Ohio Valley Conference. An hour before tipoff, it was announced that the highly touted junior Charles Bassey was inactive for tonight’s game. This was something that quickly needed to be an afterthought as the Tops were competing for a win.
Tennessee Tech came into the game winless with an 0–8 record. As the game started, the Golden Eagles won the tip. In the first sequence of the first half, the Tops dominated outstandingly. This included a 13–4 run y the Tops under the 16-minute mark of the first half. Luke Frampton scored the first 6 points of the game with back to back three-pointers. The game went on with the run increasing to a 24–12 lead through the halfway mark. This also includes one fast-break dunk that is SportsCenter worthy from Josh Anderson:
The Tops didn’t fall into the pressure of replicating Bassey as they kept up the defensive momentum on the Golden Eagles. Taveion Hollingsworth quickly filled the rebounding duties as he was able to get four in the first half alone, leading the team. One concern that still lingered for the Tops over the first half was acquiring 8 turnovers in a five minute period. In the last five minutes of the game, the deficit was cut to a 28–18 lead for WKU as they struggled to increase the lead. In the closing seconds, Kenny Cooper scored on a buzzer-beating three-pointer.
At halftime, the Hilltoppers lead the Golden Eagles 36–25.
Starting in the second half, the Tops continued to have the upper hand. Their biggest lead was 15 points but it was quickly cut by the Golden Eagles. A Luke Frampton three was the catalyst that pulled the Tops back into dominating. WKU kept the foot on the gas pedal for the rest of the half, approaching a 24 point lead with two minutes left in the game. This extended into a final score of Western Kentucky beating Tennessee Tech 88–68. This was their seventh win on the season as they completed the nonconference portion of their schedule at 7–2.
Notes from the game:
As a unit, the Tops did well without Charles Bassey tonight. Things will get better once he returns to action.
Luke Frampton was ON FIRE tonight. He scored a season-high 22 points, including making 6 out of his 9 three-point attempts. This may have been a result of answering the call in Bassey’s absence.
Josh Anderson and Tavieon Hollingsworth had great games. Kevin Osawe also picked up 6 rebounds off the bench.
Jordan Rawls had a quiet game tonight, but he was very impactful finishing with 12 points and an assist. He’s still showing his case to be a full-time starter.
Kylen Milton was a great sight to see in getting his minutes for tonight’s game.
At one point, you have to ask the question: “when is it enough?” The turnover battle remains a red flag for our offense. Eight turnovers in the first half alone, especially in a short period of time is very concerning. Only one turnover in the second half was at least an encouraging sign.
All in all, the Tops are victorious for another day. They will go on a much-needed winter break (9 days), returning in 2021 to conference play. They will open up their Conference USA schedule by taking on the Charlotte 49ers (4–3) in the first of back to back games. Western Kentucky will tipoff in Charlotte at 3 pm CT on New Years Day.
Here are the final stats from tonight’s win at Diddle:
