WKU Men’s and Women’s Basketball lost their respective contests against North Texas on Thursday night. 

WKU Women’s Basketball (4-8, 1-2 C-USA) was defeated by the University of North Texas (4-9, 1-2 C-USA) 84-76 at the Super Pit in Denton, Texas.

The Lady Hilltoppers entered the game 21st in the nation and leading Conference USA in steals, averaging 11.5 per game. Additionally to their impressive defensive play, WKU also force their opponents to commit 20.27 turnovers a game, ranking 43rd in the nation and third in the league.

In the game WKU had 11 steals and forced 15 turnovers. They also grabbed an impressive 33 offensive rebounds. WKU outrebounded North Texas 47-36. What plagued the Lady Toppers was their ability to capitalize off their dominance on the glass. They shot 34.9% from the field in the contest. 

The Mean Green were led by the duo made of sophomore forward Aniyah Johnson and senior guard Quincy Noble. Johnson posted a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds while shooting an impressive 11-13 from the field. Noble tallied 24 points while showing her “3 and D” style of play. She was 4-6 from behind that arc and marked two steals on the night. 

The game opened with a 7-0 run by North Texas that was capped off by Quincy Noble, who hit a shot from behind the arc. The Mean Green came out sharp, shooting 78.6% from the field in the first quarter of play. They held WKU to 30% in the field and forced three turnovers in the quarter. 

In the second quarter the Lady Hilltoppers battled back. WKU outscored the Mean Green 25-14. In the quarter, WKU had nine offensive rebounds, four steals and shot 47.6 % from the field. The Lady Hilltoppers offense was led by junior guard Aaliyah Pitts who produced 14 points, going 5-12 from the field. WKU led the first half 42-38. 

North Texas outscored WKU 23-17 in the third quarter. The Mean Green shot 53.8% from the field and 50.0% from behind the arc. WKU could not capitalize on North Texas’ six turnovers. They only scored one point off the errors of the Mean Green in the quarter. Additionally, North Texas controlled the paint as the Hilltoppers only had four points in the paint and nine rebounds in the quarter. North Texas held a 61-59 lead going into the fourth quarter. 

In the final quarter North Texas duplicated their third quarter performance, outsourcing WKU 23-17. In the quarter WKU had seven turnovers and North Texas created 11 points off of them. Aniyah Johnson closed the quarter going 3-3 from the field in the fourth. North Texas won the game 84-76. 

The Lady Toppers will return to Bowling Green to play UTSA on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 1 p.m.

WKU Men’s Basketball (8-6, 0-3 C-USA) lost to the University of North Texas (12-3, 3-1 C-USA) 70-66 Thursday night in E.A. Diddle Arena. 

WKU was able to stay competitive throughout the competition although they were 21.4% from the three point line. The Hilltoppers displayed their ability to get to the line shooting 25-30. 

WKU was led by junior guard Dayvion McKnight, who had 29 points, while going 8-16 from the field. McKnight was also elite at the line, shooting 13-15. 

North Texas was incredibly efficient. They were 41.8% from the field and 42.3% from behind the arc. Outrebounding the Hilltoppers 40-26, the Mean Green never allowed WKU to hold a lead throughout the entire competition. 

In the first half North Texas opened with a 21-2 run. WKU responded with a 22-13 run. In the run, WKU went 6-6 from the field and 3-3 behind the arc. WKU was able to get to the charity stripe, shooting 9-12 compared to North Texas only getting four free throws in the half. 

A large disparity between the two squads in the half was on the glass. North Texas dominated the boards out-rebounding WKU 26-9. The Mean Green tallied seven offensive rebounds compared to zero by the Hilltoppers. At the end of the half North Texas held a 32-24 lead.

In the beginning of the second half North Texas was able to extend their lead. They continued to slow down WKU and hit key shots to keep WKU from making a run. Dayvion McKnight attacked the heart of the North Texas defense, getting multiple and-ones while hitting quality mid-range shots. 

With under six minutes to go, WKU went into a full court press with the score at 60-52. After The Mean Green missed a shot, McKnight was able to draw a foul in the backcourt, creating an opportunity at the foul line where he went 1-2. Seizing the momentum WKU forced North Texas to go deep into the shot clock and forced an errant three. McKnight quickly converted two points making it a 60-55 ball game. 

With the score 69-64, the Hilltoppers forced a turnover from their full court pressure. McKnight then converted a layup on the play making it 69-66. Following the play,North Texas went 1-2 from the line and WKU could not convert to try and extend the game. North Texas won the game 70-66. 

The Hilltoppers will travel to San Antonio, Texas to play UTSA on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 3 p.m.