Hamilton scores 1,000th point, Sharp records eight blocks in win over Indianapolis

WKU+fifth+year+forward+Jairus+Hamilton+%283%29+tries+for+a+dunk+during+the+matchup+with+the+University+of+Indianapolis+in+E.A.+Diddle+Arena+on+Tuesday%2C+Nov.+15%2C+2022.+Hamilton+scored+his+1%2C000th+career+point+during+the+game.+WKU+won+68-50.

Tucker Covey

WKU fifth year forward Jairus Hamilton (3) tries for a dunk during the matchup with the University of Indianapolis in E.A. Diddle Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. Hamilton scored his 1,000th career point during the game. WKU won 68-50.

Jake McMahon, Sports reporter

WKU Men’s Basketball (3-0) defeated the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds (2-1) 68-50 in a Tuesday night matchup in Diddle arena.

Dayvion McKnight had a great performance in the victory, leading the game in scoring with 16 points. He also tallied seven rebounds and three assists. 

Jairus Hamilton also had a night to remember. The fifth-year forward had 13 points, three rebounds and two assists. He shot 83% from the field and played 26 minutes in the contest. He reached a major career milestone at the 1:30 mark in the first half by scoring his 1,000th career point. 

“I think we all would say Jairus has come a long way as a basketball player for us,” head coach Rick Stansbury said. “He’s playing extremely well for us and has been a great teammate, and he’s setting an example everyday in practice with how hard he’s working.”

Senior center Jamarion Sharp was a major problem in the paint for the Greyhounds all night. The big man totaled eight blocks and 11 rebounds.

WKU got off to a quick start out of the gate. A beautiful three ball from sixth-year guard Emmanuel Akot had the Hilltoppers off to an 8-2 run. However, the Greyhounds fought back despite their slow start.

The visitors went on a nice 7-0 run to tie the game up at 12 at the 11 minute mark. The trend of the Greyhounds fighting back after WKU created separation continued throughout the half.

An 8-0 WKU run put the Hilltoppers up 27-21 but the Greyhounds quickly battled back and tied it up. WKU went on an 11-0 run and rode it all the way to the end of the half to go into the locker room up 38-27. 

The Greyhounds came out of the half playing well, responding to an early five Hilltoppers points with a 7-2 run and brought the score to 45-34. Nevertheless, WKU took the air out of the Greyhounds’ bench and went on a 10-1 run to take a 20 point lead, 55-35.

The Hilltoppers were able to maintain their distance throughout the rest of the half and took the game 68-50.

Perimeter defense played a big part in the Hilltoppers’ strong second half.The Greyhounds shot really well from deep in the first half, scoring 21 points on the three ball. The visitors only made three buckets from beyond the arc in the back half of the contest.

“For me it was adjusting to the five just being able to shoot,” Sharp said. “Once we did that, that’s when everything started to find its place.”

WKU will be heading out of the country to visit the Cayman Islands to play the Akron Zips Monday, Nov. 21 at 12:30 p.m. CT. in the Cayman Island Classic.

Sports reporter Jake McMahon be reached at [email protected]