WKU Basketball’s (14-12, CUSA 6-9) three game win streak was snapped by the Charlotte 49ers (15-11, CUSA 6-9) 68-64, Thursday Feb. 16 at Dale F. Halton arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Redshirt junior guard Dontaie Allen was a huge help in keeping the Hilltoppers in the ball game. Allen had an outstanding 24 points and nine rebounds. The guard also found success beyond the arc as he shot 55% from three. 

Senior center Jamarion Sharp also had an impressive game against Charlotte. Sharp had eight points, 10 boards and four blocks. 

A huge reason the Hilltopper win streak was terminated was Charlotte center Aly Khalifa. In his two games against WKU this season, Khalifa has a combined 46 points and 15 rebounds. These games were both four point losses for the Hilltoppers. 

Both teams stayed tight to begin the game. A Jamarion Sharp slam put the Hilltoppers up 8-7 six minutes into the contest. Charlotte and WKU each started to find a flow on offense as the half progressed. 

A layup from fifth-year forward Jairus Hamilton tied the score up at 28 a piece with three minutes left in the first half. However, the 49ers created separation late. A 7-0, 1:36 run put Charlotte on top 35-28 headed into the locker room. 

Charlotte carried their momentum from late in the first half to start the second. WKU scored the first five points of the half, but Charlotte responded with an 11-3 run to go up 46-36 with 15 minutes to play. 

WKU began to claw their way back into the game. A Dontaie Allen triple capped off a 9-2 Hilltopper run, cutting the deficit to three 48-45. 

WKU continued to keep themselves in the ball game. Despite facing a 59-52 deficit late in the second half, the Hilltoppers held the 49ers to only three points for the rest of regulation. 

A Dayvion Mcknight layup with 12 seconds left capped an 8-0 run and tied the game up at 62, sending play to overtime

WKU led in the beggining of OT. Dayvion Mcknight found the bottom of the net first putting the Hilltoppers up 64-62. 

However, two threes from Khalifa put the 49ers up 68-64 with 53 seconds left in the period.Charlotte took the win 68-64.  

WKU will look to bounce back against the Rice Owls Saturday, Feb. 18 at Tudor Fieldhouse in Houston, Texas. 

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