WKU Basketball: Tops Lose Four Straight in Close Game vs. UAB, 68-65
NBA prospect Jelly Walker drained a game-winning three to seal the win for the Blazers
In a very close game throughout, Western Kentucky lost at home against UAB thanks to a game-winning three from Blazer star Jordan “Jelly” Walker with five seconds left in the game, 68-65.
Josh Anderson led the Tops in scoring off the bench with 16 points and six rebounds while Justice and Hamilton both had ten points a piece. Sharp looked decent tonight too with 11 points, six rebounds, and six blocks. Dayvion McKnight didn’t shoot too well (3-of-11 shooting for the night) but still had nine points five rebounds.
UAB was led by Jelly Walker who had 21 points and five assists including the game winning three at the end of the game.
In the first half, the Tops started off slow as UAB took an early 8-2 lead. There would be a lot of back and forth but the Tops would never lead in the first half and trailed at halftime, 34-27.
In the second half, we still had a very close game. The Tops would either tie or get within two points but wouldn’t be able to grab any lead at all until Justice made three free throws with 43 seconds left in the game to lead 63-62. Sadly that lead would be short lived as it would later become tied at 65 and with 17 seconds left, UAB were able to go on the other end of the court and Jelly Walker would make an NBA three to seal the deal. McKnight was able to get down the court but had to take a three at the buzzer that wouldn’t go in.
When looking at the amount of turnovers the Tops had with 15 and missed free throws with 11-of-17 shooting from the stripe, those are some of the biggest things that kept them from getting a big home win.
WKU are now 10-10 on the season and 2-5 in C-USA play. They will prepare to play MTSU in Diddle Arena this Saturday after they barely beat Marshall who is the worst time in the conference.
Final stats from the evening:
