WKU Men’s Basketball (8-1) defeated the Wright State Raiders (5-5) 64-60 in a Saturday evening bout at E.A. Diddle Arena.

Junior Dayvion Mcknight put the team on his back with an amazing performance. The guard led all scoring with a whopping 32 points in the game. He also tallied four rebounds and three assists in the game.

“It was a little stagnant on offense today,” Mcknight said. “I felt like it was in my hands so I brought the energy.”

As a team, the Hilltoppers shot 40% from the field. WKU took a dip in three point production tonight. The team had led the Country in three point shooting before tonight, but against the Raiders, WKU shot a lackluster 3-18 from the perimeter.  

WKU began the battle playing well on both sides of the ball. Six points from Junior Dayvion Mcknight aided in an early 11-6 run. The Hilltoppers offense stalled coming out of the timeout. WKU were scoreless for the next five minutes and let Wright State cut the lead down to one, 11-10. The Hilltoppers responded with an 8-2 run, going up 19-12.

However, the Raiders began to find their stride on offense. Wright State ended the first half on a 17-10 run and went into the locker room with the lead, 29-27.

The Hilltoppers began into the second half hitting their shots. WKU went on a 7-0 run to take the lead, 40-36. As the Hilltoppers began to create separation in the game, the Raiders fought right back. A 6-0 Wright State run put the Raiders back on top 43-42. The teams continued to stay close as the score was tied at 53 with five minutes to go. 

A 6-0 Hilltopper run, capped off by a Jamarion Sharp slam, created much needed distance making the score 59-53. The Raiders would continue to fight but WKU proved to be too much, winning 64-60. 

The Hilltoppers will head into a two game stretch against power five opponents starting Dec. 14, as they travel to the KFC Yum Center to play the Louisville Cardinals. 

Sports reporter Jake McMahon can be reached at [email protected]