WKU Hilltoppers: Tops Lose First Game Against ODU, 71–69

After being up by eleven points at the half, the Tops collapsed in the second half and narrowly lost to ODU, 71–69.

After being up by eleven points at the half, the Tops collapsed in the second half and narrowly lost to ODU, 71–69.

This is a super heartbreaking loss. With North Texas losing tonight, the Tops could’ve pulled away in C-USA standings but instead will have a winner-take-all game tomorrow for the East against the Monarchs.

ODU’s Malik Curry looked more like Steph Curry tonight and led all scorers with 25 points and shot a perfect 3-of-3 from deep. WKU’s Charles Bassey wasn’t too far behind him with yet another double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds.

Turnovers are still an issue for this Hilltopper team as they had 13 as a whole and Luke Frampton, who is finally back, had a very rough night with only two points and three turnovers.

It seemed like so many small things added up to hurt the Tops, especially in the second half. It mostly started with Williams missing those free throws and the game ending with McKnight driving full court and taking a horribly contested shot as time expired. I can’t imagine that was the play coach Stansbury drew up and was a major freshman mistake to try to take things into his own hands instead of try to pass to Hollingsworth (or literally anyone).

McKnight has a bright future with this team but tonight was a painful loss that I hope and pray won’t keep the Tops from getting at least a share of a C-USA regular season title or something.

I really hope the Tops haven’t come this far without getting swept in by anyone in C-USA play only to get swept when it matters the most. All our fan base has known the past few seasons in March is heartbreak and I really don’t want to see a team this talented fall short yet again.

Tomorrow it’s all on the line and I hope that after today they come out with a fire and play like a team that has a desire to win a C-USA title. Here are the final stats: