WKU Basketball: Tops Can’t Slow Down Belmont’s Three Point Shooting in 75–72 Loss

Going into the game, everyone knew what Belmont was good at: WKU had been the victim of it each of the previous three years and on Tuesday…

Going into the game, everyone knew what Belmont was good at: WKU had been the victim of it each of the previous three years and on Tuesday it was no different.

Belmont hit 14 threes, including one with a minute left, to give them the 71–68 lead. The Bruins finished off the Tops with a final score of 75–72.

Belmont tried to assert their dominance from three early with little success, starting the game just 2-for-9 from three. It was at that point WKU saw their final lead of the game.

A period of nearly seven minutes without a field goal for the Tops let the Bruins to pull out to a 25–16 lead, which allowed for them to lead 33–26 to at the half.

The story of the first half for WKU was them shooting just 12-of-31, including 0-for-7 from three.

The start of the second half was much of the same: Western Kentucky came within a few points and Belmont would immediately put them away with a four-plus point swing.

Belmont was able to strech their lead into double-digits multiple times, but each time the Tops had their own answer.

In postgame, Rick Stansbury put it best, “They couldn’t get over the hump.”

The Hilltoppers brought the game to within two points with three minutes left and two minutes left, but each time a three from the right corner by Bruins’ freshman Nick Hopkins ended the Hilltoppers run.

WKU tied it with 1:28 left on two free throws from Lamonte Bearden, but yet again Belmont answered with a three from Amanza Egekeze with one minute to go that turned out to be the final dagger.

Overall, WKU could not find a way to stop the Belmont three point attack, but it was first half struggles on the offensive end that proved to be the difference in the game. This team cannot afford to go nearly seven minutes without a field goal if it wants any chance at a successful season.

Some Things to Note:

• WKU shot 11-of-11 from the free throw line, which was their highest percentage in a game since January 23rd, 2016.

• Darius Thompson was just 2-for-11 from the field and finished with just four points. It was the first time all season he did not score in double figures.

• Tonight’s five turnovers were the fewest in a game since March 11, 2016.

• WKU made a three pointer for the 950th consecutive game.

Next up WKU travels to Clarksville, Tennessee for a Friday night matchup with the Governors of Austin Peay. WKU defeated APSU last season 97–92.

Final Stats

Rick Stansbury, Justin Johnson and Dwight Coleby Postgame Comments: