WKU Basketball: Tops Advance in NIT Against Saint Mary’s, 69–67

After another heartbreaking loss to North Texas on Saturday, the Tops stayed in Frisco and advanced in their first game of the NIT, 69–67.

After another heartbreaking loss to North Texas on Saturday, the Tops stayed in Frisco and advanced in their first game of the NIT, 69–67.

Taveion Hollingsworth led all scorers with 21 points and Charles Bassey had another double-double win 19 points and 11 rebounds. Luke Frampton and Josh Anderson added some threes and they shot 4-of-4 from deep combined and both had ten points.

The Tops controlled most of this game. Also, they did such a great job taking care of the ball. They only had four on the evening. WKU had a double digit lead in the first half and led at halftime 38–31 thanks to a buzzer beater from the Gaels.

In the second half, the Tops still controlled most of the game but the Gaels just wouldn’t go away. They got within five and then three. Then finally taking the lead late with a 67–65 lead thanks to a three with 47 seconds left but thanks to a Bassey dunk and Hollingsworth making two late free throws to win, the Tops would survive and move on.

Even though it’s Saint Patrick’s Day and Saint Mary’s are the Gaels, they had some awful luck this game and missed two free throws late that were the front end of a one and one which quite literally cost them the game.

WKU will now prepare to take on the winner of Ole Miss vs Louisiana Tech so either way, the Tops will see a familiar face. They’ll either see a La Tech team they’ve already played twice this season (split the series) or will play Kermit Davis and his Rebels next Thursday night.

While the NIT isn’t exactly preferable, it should be great for players like Dayvion McKnight, Jordan Rawls, and all the other young players on this team for their development playing in the postseason so hopefully they can continue to grow and move on in the process.

Here are the final stats from Frisco: