WKU Basketball: Hilltoppers Overcome Sluggish Offense, Best Tennessee State 88–74
After being on the road for three weeks, WKU basketball returned to Diddle Arena and in front of 6,071 fans and overcame a sloppy…
After being on the road for three weeks, WKU basketball returned to Diddle Arena and in front of 6,071 fans and overcame a sloppy offensive performance to beat the Tennessee State Tigers, 88–74, to move to 4–3 on the season.
The victory marked WKU’s 600th inside Diddle Arena.
The first half was all around ugly as WKU’s offensive struggles continued. The game was close early, with WKU only leading by 10–9 at the first media timeout. The Tops extended their lead to 19–13 over the next four minutes before the Tigers rallied and cut the lead at one around the eight-minute mark before WKU outscored the Tigers by four , taking a 38–33 lead into the locker room despite hitting only one field goal in last 10 minutes of the half.
WKU had just one assist to 10 turnovers for the half.
The Tops came out of the locker room smoking hot, turning their four-point lead to a 14-point lead in less than five minutes, with Josh Anderson exploding for six quick points.
Tennessee State hung around though, cutting WKU’s lead down to 10 around the eight-minute mark on the strength of a career night from Kamar McKnight.
WKU’s lead continued to dwindle all the way down to five points with 5:20 before the Tops finally pulled away when Josh Anderson went on his own 4–0 run on a steal and dunk with four minutes left. The Tops cruised from there, extending their lead to 13, punctuated on an Anderson dunk with 59 seconds left.
The Tops made a few more free throws and overcome the Tigers, 88–74.
Overall this was an ugly foul-filled game. WKU will have to drastically improve if they want to survive next week’s road swing to the Ozark’s.
Here are some thoughts on the Tops fourth victory of the season:
WKU’s defense didn’t have their best night, allowing 46.3% shooting from the Tigers and tying the rebounding battle at 31. They did turn the Tigers over 18 times and weathered career nights from McKnight and Donte Fitzpatrick-Dorsey (25 points) and made sure the Tigers didn’t shoot them out of the building.
WKU’s offense, on the other hand, was a slog despite shooting 50% percentage on the game. They had multiple scoring droughts of 5+ minutes and turned the ball over 14 times with just six total assists on the night. WKU relied on drawing fouls to extend their leads during droughts and did their best on fast breaks.
WKU continued to dominate at the foul line, drawing 34 fouls and making 36 of 45 free throws, one makes shy of the program record that has been in place for over 50 years. If WKU’s offensive struggles continue we can at least have faith that the team can find ways to manufacture points
Desean Murray finally broke through a recent slump. He scored six of WKU’s first 10 points and 17 points overall to go along with eight rebounds before fouling out with 5:19 remaining.
Taveion Hollingsworth’s first game at point guard was a mixed bag. He did score 19 points but also only distributed three assists and turned the ball over six times. Let’s hope there is a learning curve because WKU absolutely needs him to improve at that role over the next two weeks.
Charles Bassey had a very quiet night. He hit his third three of the season early but the guards had trouble getting him the ball inside. On the night, he finished with five points on four shots. TSU made it a point to not let him beat them but Bassey needs to get more involved if WKU wants to reach their potential
After moving off the point, Josh Anderson finally calmed down and played his type of game. He dominated on the defensive end with three steals and a block. He also played efficiently offensively shooting 5-of-6 from the field and free throw line totaling 15 points total. He definitely appears to be more confident when he doesn’t have to worry about running the offense.
Jared Savage struggled from the field (3-for-11 shooting) but dominated at the free throw line, going 13-for-13. Savage is the best shooter on the team and I’m fascinated to see how Bearden’s distribution skills help him get better looks once he gets back.
Matt Horton was the first big off the bench and Rick Stansbury played Tolu Smith alongside him for the first time this season. Horton responded with four points, three rebounds and a block. Stansbury has to continue to give him more minutes at the five to spell Bassey and keep him fresh.
The bench improved tonight, scoring 12 points, but has to continue to get better if WKU wants to establish itself as a C-USA contender.
Tennessee State hoisted only 18 threes, making just four of them. Another great example of WKU being able to take away a strength of the opposing team
Delano Banton was pretty nonexistent in his nine minutes of play, totaling just one rebound and zero points or assists. He’s got to give WKU more at least until Bearden returns in three games
ESPN+’s feed crapped out after halftime so I had to listen to the second half on TuneIn. While this is the first time we’ve had problems with it. I think most out of town fans have to be disappointed with the service that they’re paying for. Hopefully, this is just a hiccup and doesn’t happen during a crucial game this season.
WKU (4–3) heads to Springfield, Missouri on Wednesday for a crucial road game against the Missouri State Bears (3–4). Here are your final stats from WKU’s fourth win of the season.
