WKU Basketball: Tops Storm Back from 12 Down to Defeat ODU 71–69
What looked like a certain loss turned into a miracle win as WKU Basketball stormed back from 12 points down in the final 4 minutes to…
What looked like a certain loss turned into a miracle win as WKU Basketball stormed back from 12 points down in the final 4 minutes to steal a win against ODU 71–69 in front of 3,816 fans at EA Diddle Arena.
WKU started off slow trailing by as much as eight points in the first five minutes. That margin would hold until the 8-minute mark when the Tops cut it to 18–16 on a Jeremiah Gambrell jumper.
One minute later the Tops took their first lead of the game on a deep three by Taveion Hollingsworth as the shot clock expired. The run would end at 11 straight points but the Tops would continue to control the rest of the half extending their lead by as much as 5 as they shot 44% from the floor.
The Tops would take a 31–28 lead to the locker room.
WKU couldn’t carry that momentum into the second half as ODU went on a 13–3 run coming out of the locker room as the three-point lead turned into a seven-point deficit.
The Tops would respond and get the Monarch lead back down to 2 but a combination of lackadaisical defense and an inconsistent offense helped the Monarch lead balloon back to 7 at the under 12 timeout.
The Monarchs wouldn’t back down, extending their lead to as much as 12 points as WKU’s shorthanded defense loosened as foul trouble mounted. WKU’s allowed the Monarchs to shoot 48.5% in the second half.
The Tops would finally wake up in the final two minutes cutting the Monarch lead to 6 with 1:12 remaining. Josh Anderson would make two free throws as the lead would be cut to 4 with 57 seconds left.
ODU would make some free throws and WKU was running out of time. After Hollingsworth made two free throws, WKU forced a jump ball with 35 seconds remaining.
Taveion Hollingsworth would drill a jumper to cut the lead to two with 28 seconds remaining.
WKU forced Aaron Carver (a 50% free throw shooter) to the line, he would make the first and miss the second to give ODU a 3 point lead with 18 seconds left. Hollingsworth would then draw a foul with 11.8 seconds left and hit both free throws cutting the ODU lead to 1.
ODU would inbound the ball and the Hilltoppers would force their third jump ball in the last two minutes giving the Tops the ball with 9 seconds left. From there Taveion Hollinsworth took over getting the ball and driving to the basket, making a go-ahead layup with 3.5 seconds remaining and drawing a free throw with a chance to give WKU a 2 point lead.
Hollingsworth would hit the free throw and ODU’s full-court pass would be deflected out of bounds. The Monarchs wouldn’t get an attempt at the basket and WKU would escape with the 71–69 Win to move to 11–6 (4–1) on the season.
Here are some thoughts on tonight’s thrilling comeback.
With Cam Justice out again with the bulging disk, WKU only played 7 tonight with Gambrell and Cozart being the only two reserves.
WKU won the turnover battle 15–12. Only 5 of WKU’s turnovers occurred in the second half which definitely spurred the comeback
WKU controlled the Foul margin 25–13 and took 28 free throws (making 24) to ODU’s 13, which helped them overcome ODU’s solid offensive second half.
Taveion Hollingsworth took charge during the comeback scoring 16 of his 23 points in the second half. He looked confident and demanded the ball in the clutch. It was good seeing him show more glimpses of the player we think he can be.
Josh Anderson was in foul trouble all game but played really solid defense despite having four fouls and attacked the rim getting 13 points as well.
Jared Savage didn’t have a great offensive game (3–9 shooting) but hustled gaining 10 rebounds and 4 blocks. He’s been great since the Tops have been short-handed.
Jeremiah Gambrell played well in the first half gaining 2 points and 4 rebounds. Stansbury continues to slowly trust him more out of necessity which should help even when Justice comes back into the fold.
Jordan Rawls wasn’t amazing but still was his steady self with 10 points and only 2 turnovers which continues to pay dividends compared to early in the season.
Carson Williams had a workmanlike 12 points and 8 rebounds against the taller Monarchs. He has his flaws but you know what you’re getting from him night in & night out.
WKU shot just 3–18 from Three Point range, I don’t think it was a coincidence that they didn’t use three’s to go on their late run. The Tops win by attacking the basket and drawing fouls which is exactly what they did in the last 4 minutes.
WKU was outrebounded again 40–28 which is par for the course at this point. When they tighten those margins they’ll have more wins like the MTSU game
With the limited bench, Stansbury isn’t going to press as much as he should but this team definitely thrives with providing pressure defensively.
This game was huge for WKU’s chances of staying in the Top pod for bonus play. WKU is now 4–1 on the year in Conference USA which ties them for second with four other teams in the league. WKU simply can’t afford to lose at home if it wants to play for a first-round bye in the CUSA Tournament.
WKU returns to Diddle Arena on Saturday at 4 PM CT to host first-place Charlotte (10–5, 4–0 in CUSA). The 49ers are playing as well as anyone in the league so the game will be a barometer to seeing how much WKU has improved. If the Tops play as they did in spurts tonight they just may be able to stake a claim as a conference contender.
Here are your final stats from tonight’s amazing victory
