WKU Basketball: Tops Hand Razorbacks First Loss in Overtime, 86–79

In an overtime thriller, Western Kentucky (7–3) beat the Arkansas Razorbacks (8–1), 86–79. This was an incredible back-and-forth game but a…

In an overtime thriller, Western Kentucky (7–3) beat the Arkansas Razorbacks (8–1), 86–79. This was an incredible back-and-forth game but a lot to unpack with this win.

While this win will look great for WKU sadly their sophomore bigman Charles Bassey went down with about 3 minutes left in the game. It looked like a hyperextended knee and did not look good. While nothing has been said from WKU regarding the injury yet, he could be sidelined a while. He finished with ten points. Even with that injury, the Tops showed heart without him winning in overtime.

Taveion Hollingsworth had 23 points and Josh Anderson had 15 points as he took over overtime getting four straight points. Jared Savage, say what you will about him, hit the shot of his life to keep WKU alive in this game at the end of regulation with a huge three. He finished with 14 points.

Tops defense did pretty solid as things got nitty gritty and held the Razorbacks to 30% from behind the arc. Sills led the Razorbacks with 20 points.

One of the main reasons the Tops won this game was the strong EA Diddle Arena crowd. The Razorbacks silenced the crowd several times retaking the lead but in the end I believe it helped this team win without Bassey. Even with some bad calls every now and then, the Tops were able to get a huge win against an SEC opponent.

This will be a win WKU fans will remember for a long time for many reasons. The sweet taste of victory slightly overshadowed by the fear of Bassey being injured. Seems like the Tops can’t win without losing and regardless of how things turn out for Bassey this team showed heart in overtime getting the job done and were able to pull this one off